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

“To many in the church it is symbolic of deeper issues of clericalism and separation from the faithful,” retired King County Superior Court judge and Heal Our Church steering committee founder Terrence Carroll said.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 9, 2022

"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

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

From The Guardian • Jan. 17, 2020

Their clericalism, pietism, moralism, intellectualism, and humanism represent ways in which frightened and disturbed people seek to make themselves secure.

From Herein is Love A Study of the Biblical Doctrine of Love in Its Bearing on Personality, Parenthood, Teaching, and All Other Human Relationships. by Howe, Reuel L.