as in ecclesiastical
of or relating to a church
the waning of ecclesial power in Europe as the number of lapsed Christians increases
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Recent Examples of ecclesial
The Reforming Popes of the 11th and 12th centuries, beginning with Leo IX and culminating with Innocent III, addressed the ecclesial crises of their day.
—
Case Thorp, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 May 2025
Others suggest that any sort of ecclesial peace that had reigned was over and that Francis is now more exposed to critics, deprived of the moderating influence Benedict played in keeping the conservative Catholic fringe at bay.
—Nicole Winfield, BostonGlobe.com, 25 Jan. 2023
His ecclesial service was without parallel in Australia.
—Raymond J. De Souza, WSJ, 12 Jan. 2023
In addition to that, one of the goals the synodal reform is to change completely the ecclesial structures of the Church in Germany and elsewhere.
—Fr. Goran Jovicic, National Review, 13 June 2021
And yet, in the process of fleeing broken ecclesial institutions, didn’t the new contemplatives also constitute a body politic?
—Fred Bahnson, Harpers Magazine, 5 Jan. 2021
During the latter half of the century, the Brazilian Catholic church shifted its approach from one that centered on elites and favored the status quo to one that promoted social justice and ecclesial and political action on behalf of the poor.
—Chayenne Polimédio, Foreign Affairs, 7 Mar. 2019
Case Thorp, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 May 2025
Others suggest that any sort of ecclesial peace that had reigned was over and that Francis is now more exposed to critics, deprived of the moderating influence Benedict played in keeping the conservative Catholic fringe at bay.
—Nicole Winfield, BostonGlobe.com, 25 Jan. 2023
His ecclesial service was without parallel in Australia.
—Raymond J. De Souza, WSJ, 12 Jan. 2023
In addition to that, one of the goals the synodal reform is to change completely the ecclesial structures of the Church in Germany and elsewhere.
—Fr. Goran Jovicic, National Review, 13 June 2021
And yet, in the process of fleeing broken ecclesial institutions, didn’t the new contemplatives also constitute a body politic?
—Fred Bahnson, Harpers Magazine, 5 Jan. 2021
During the latter half of the century, the Brazilian Catholic church shifted its approach from one that centered on elites and favored the status quo to one that promoted social justice and ecclesial and political action on behalf of the poor.
—Chayenne Polimédio, Foreign Affairs, 7 Mar. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ecclesial
Adjective
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Rose Glass' directorial debut is an ecclesiastical horror that offsets the fine line between devotion and delusion, all while stirring the painful emotions of loneliness and trauma.—
Steven Thrash,
Entertainment Weekly,
19 Oct. 2025
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Her historic appointment—a first in the 1,400 years since Saint Augustine founded the diocese after landing in England—will fuel the long-running debate not only in the Anglican church, but also other Christian churches, about the ecclesiastical role of women.—
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Think of it like an ecclesiastic LinkedIn.—
Jack Murtagh,
Scientific American,
11 Oct. 2025
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Forbidden passion fueled the plot of The Thorn Birds in which the late Richard Chamberlain, played the priest Ralph de Bricassart, a heartthrob in ecclesiastic wear.—
Laird Borrelli-Persson,
Vogue,
2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Earlier this year, Wenski spoke with the Miami Herald during his annual Sunday motorcycle ride, an event that brings together hundreds of religious motorcycle lovers, while raising funds to benefit St Luke’s Center, a drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility.—
Lauren Costantino,
Miami Herald,
31 Oct. 2025
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Many districts allow for short-term exceptions—such as for bereavement, family emergencies, or religious observances—but rarely for travel motivated by convenience or cost.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ecclesial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ecclesial. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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