Prelacy: meaning, definitions and examples
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prelacy
[ ˈprɛləsi ]
church authority
Prelacy refers to a system of church government led by bishops or prelates. In this structure, authority is concentrated in the hands of a few high-ranking clergy who oversee the spiritual and administrative matters of their church. The term is often associated with certain religious denominations that emphasize hierarchical leadership. Prelacy can play a significant role in defining the relationship between the clergy and the laity, impacting doctrines and practices within the church.
Synonyms
ecclesiastical authority, episcopacy, hierarchy.
Examples of usage
- The prelacy of the church influenced its decisions.
- In his sermon, he criticized the excesses of the prelacy.
- The prelacy was established to maintain order within the faith.
- Many congregants felt disconnected from the prelacy.
Translations
Translations of the word "prelacy" in other languages:
🇵🇹 prelazia
🇮🇳 प्रीलैसी
🇩🇪 Prälatur
🇮🇩 prelasi
🇺🇦 прелатура
🇵🇱 prelatura
🇯🇵 プレラシー
🇫🇷 prélat
🇪🇸 prelatura
🇹🇷 prelatur
🇰🇷 프렐라시
🇸🇦 بريلاتية
🇨🇿 prelatura
🇸🇰 prelát
🇨🇳 主教职位
🇸🇮 prelatura
🇮🇸 prelatur
🇰🇿 прелатура
🇬🇪 პრელატურა
🇦🇿 prelatur
🇲🇽 prelatura
Etymology
The word 'prelacy' originates from the early 17th century, deriving from the Latin 'praelatus,' meaning 'one set over others' or 'a person of higher rank.' This term is closely associated with the ecclesiastical hierarchy, particularly within the Christian tradition. The concept became increasingly prominent during the Reformation, as various denominations began to define their leadership structures in contrast to each other. The term has also been used throughout history to debate and discuss the role and power of bishops within different religious contexts, especially within Anglicanism, where the relationship between the prelacy and the laity has been a significant topic of theological reflection.