Consistorial Abbey
A consistorial abbey is a monastery whose abbot does not have to be confirmed by the bishop of the responsible diocese , but only by the pope . This is also referred to as an exemption .
In the Middle Ages , the appointment of an abbey as a consistorial abbey was an instrument of power with the help of which the influence of the bishops on the monasteries could be contained.
Examples
- Imperial Abbey of Salem , appointed consistorial abbey in 1178