Donatives
A donative (donatio in Latin) is a gift of money or other valuable items made by a donor to a recipient outside of an official or customary gift-giving occasion. The term most often refers to a gift made to a church or other religious institution.
The earliest donatives are found in the writings of the Roman historian Livy, who described the large donative given by the Roman Senate and people to the Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus in 466 BC. The donative was a key part of the Roman system of civil religion, and it was also used to curry favor with the gods during times of crisis.
Donatives continued to be given to religious institutions in the Roman Empire and later in the Byzantine Empire. In the Christian era, donatives became an important way to support the Church. In the Middle Ages, the donative was often a key part of the process of appointing a new bishop.
Donatives are still given to churches and other religious institutions today. They are often used to support the work of the institution, such as building projects or the training of clergy. Donatives may also be used to help those in need, such as the poor or refugees.
Donatives can be a significant source of income for religious institutions. In the United States, for example, the Catholic Church collected over $1.5 billion in donatives in 2016. Donatives are also an important source of revenue for the Church in other countries, such as Italy and Mexico.
Donatives can be a controversial topic. Some people argue that they are a form of bribery, and that religious institutions should not accept them. Others argue that donatives are a legitimate way for people to support the work of their church or other religious institution.
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