simony means that one pays for an office or a position in the hierarchy of christian church. it is an offense against canon law. simony became widespread in the catholic church in the 9th and 10th centuries. the name comes from simon magus, who appears in the acts of the apostles 8:18-24. simon magus offers the disciples of jesus, peter and john, payment so that anyone he would place his hands on would receive the power of the holy spirit. this is the origin of the term "simony". but it also extends to other forms of trafficking for money in "spiritual things".