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

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

That comment refers to the clericalism in the Catholic church – a cult of officialdom that makes clerics particularly important.

From The Guardian • Feb. 14, 2020

Francis instead has frequently attributed the crisis to clericalism, a systemic abuse of power and the unhealthy pursuit of authority within the church’s hierarchy.

From New York Times • Apr. 18, 2019

The modern Teutonic State, the Holy German Empire of the Habsburg, has equally perished through clericalism.

From German Problems and Personalities by Saroléa, Charles