clericalism

American  

[kler-i-kuh-liz-uhm] / ˈklɛr ɪ kəˌlɪz əm /

noun

1. clerical principles.

2. clerical power or influence in government, politics, etc. (distinguished from laicism).

3. support of such power or influence.

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clericalism British  

/ ˈklɛrɪkəˌlɪzəm /

noun

1. a policy of upholding the power of the clergy

2. the power of the clergy esp when excessively strong

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Other Word Forms

• clericalist
  noun

Etymology

Origin of clericalism

First recorded in 1860–65; clerical + -ism

Example Sentences

He once used an unexpectedly shocking simile to denounce what he termed "hypocritical clericalism".

From BBC • Apr. 22, 2025

"Pope Francis renewed his support for me ... he repeated that he considered me a victim of hypocrisy and clericalism," Archbishop Michel Aupetit told the official Vatican News website.

From Reuters • Feb. 4, 2022

Francis has often warned against clericalism during his papacy, and he picked up on that theme in Sunday’s homily.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 29, 2020

In 2016, he directed The Student, a film that mocked the country’s increasing clericalism and intolerance.

From The Guardian • Jan. 17, 2020

In the same practical way he deals with other survivals in the French Constitution—such as clericalism, and the property qualification for suffrage—by dwelling on their mitigations, while reaffirming his own principles on these points.

From The Life Of Thomas Paine, Vol. I. (of II) With A History of His Literary, Political and Religious Career in America France, and England; to which is added a Sketch of Paine by William Cobbett by Conway, Moncure Daniel