Editing Lay abbot (section)

==Background==
Numerous [[synod]]s held in France in the sixth and seventh centuries passed decrees against this abuse of church property. The [[Merovingians]] had bestowed church lands on laymen, or at least allowed them their possession and use, though not ownership.<ref name=Kirsch>[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09092a.htm Kirsch, Johann Peter. "Lay Abbot." The Catholic Encyclopedia] Vol. 9. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1910. 26 Jul. 2015</ref> The Merovingian kings were also in the habit of appointing abbots to monasteries which they had founded; moreover, many monasteries, though not founded by the king, placed themselves under royal patronage in order to share his protection, and so became possessions of the Crown.