PROVISION (Let. provisio, from proridere, to provide), in church law, means the bestowing an ecclesiastical benefice, and involves two stages—the designation of the person on whom it is bestowed, and the actual collation (Lat. collatio) of the benefice, which is completed by his taking possession. Both these acts fall properly to the eccle siastical authority; but by usage of a very early date, the state, and often individuals, are admitted to a share in the provision of ecclesiastical benefices. In the mediaeval the claim of the sovereign to the provision of vacant bishoprics was often the-subject of contention with the popes (see INVESTITURE), but at all times the right of final and com plete provision was admitted to belong to the pope. In later times, this claim has com monly been regulated by concordat. In most Roman Catholic countries the crown elects to bishoprics, and the pope is bound to confirm the nominee of the crown, unless canonical cause of rejection should appear. In the Russo-Greek church the candidates arc presented by the holy synod, and the czar names the bishop from among them. In
Protestant countries the election to benefices and dignities in the Roman Catholic church is generally by the chapters; but in some of them, as in Holland, Prussia, Han over, a qualified veto is permitted to the crown. In the church of England the bishop is nominally elected by the chapter; but, in reality, the members of the chapter are only permitted to name the particular person whom the crown presents to them for election with the cove, Iu the Roman Catholic church of England and of Ireland, the parochial clergy, together with the canons, recommend three candidates, one of whom is commonly, although not necessarily, appointed by the pope. The conditions and usages of provision to parochial and other benefices have been explained under the head institution (q.v.). The completing act of provision is the installing iu possession, which is described under the head induction (q.v.).