clericalization

9.9

A process that gives religious leaders more power and separates them from ordinary members

noun
/ˌklɛrɪkəlaɪˈzeɪʃən/

: clericalización

Many historians suggest that clericalization contributed to increased division between the clergy and the laity.

Examples

During the reforms, some criticized the clericalization of religious leadership as contrary to community values.
The clericalization of the institution led to greater authority for the priests over daily affairs.
The clericalization of the church has led to increased influence over local communities.
Many scholars argue that clericalization can create a divide between clergy and laity.
Many theologians debate the clericalization of the laity, arguing it undermines the principles of equality in the church.
The clericalization process has led to a clearer separation between clergy and laypeople in many religious communities.
The rise of clericalization has prompted discussions about the roles of clergy and the importance of lay involvement in the church.

Synonyms

clericalism

vsclericalization

9.9

Support for giving religious leaders more power in politics

describes the process that increases religious hierarchy power and separates clergy from laity

How Influential

clericalization

9.9

clericalism

9.9

laicization

Formal

9.9

Surface Forms

clericalization singular

clericalizations plural

Morphology

clericalization = clerical (semi-transparent) = cleric + al + ization

The word is built from 'clerical' plus '-ization', but the specialized sense of increased clerical power is only partly predictable from the base word.

Etymology

Clericalization starts with cleric, meaning 'a religious leader', and is the same root as clerk, a word for someone who works in an office. The ending -ization means 'making' or 'a process'. So clericalization is the process of making something controlled by religious leaders or giving more power to the clergy.