si·mo·ny 
(sīmə-nē, sĭmə-)
(sīmə-nē, sĭmə-)n.
The buying or selling of ecclesiastical offices or of indulgences or other spiritual things.
[Middle English simonie, from Old French, from Late Latin simōnia, after Simon Magus, a sorcerer who tried to buy spiritual powers from the Apostle Peter (Acts 8:9-24).]
simo·nist n.