prelate
noun
\
Definition of prelate
: an ecclesiastic (such as a bishop or abbot) of superior rank
Examples of prelate in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Other cardinal red hats will go to the head of the Vatican office on doctrinal orthodoxy and another top Holy See official, and prelates in Osaka, Japan, and L'Aquila, Italy, which is still trying to rebuild after a 2009 earthquake. — Fox News, "Pope Francis to create 14 new cardinals in June," 20 May 2018 After lunch, the production crew led a procession of pretend prelates, Swiss Guards, nuns and Vatican gendarmes under the arches of the Passetto di Borgo and across Via dei Corridori. — New York Times, "‘Extra’ Cardinals Invade the Vatican (Blessings Not Included)," 9 May 2018 The moment was vintage Sullivan, a progressive prelate who has championed a variety of social and religious causes and embraced sometimes controversial views on important issues in the nation’s public discourse. — Jan Hefler, Philly.com, "On immigration rights, gun control, and racial equality, Camden's bishop is a progressive voice for change," 27 Apr. 2018 Bishop Lei is one of several Catholic prelates who have been appointed by China’s state religious authorities without the blessing of the pope. — The Economist, "The pope and China may be close to a deal on appointing bishops," 26 Apr. 2018 For years, Vatican prelates dismissed the accusations of Father Degollado’s victims as slander, but Bishop Scicluna listened to them and, after John Paul’s death, convinced the Vatican that Father Degollado had abused seminarians in his own order. — Jason Horowitz, New York Times, "Pope Francis, After Criticism, Sends Sex Crimes Investigator to Chile," 30 Jan. 2018 Miller was named honorary prelate to Pope John Paul II on May 29, 1991. — Bonnie L. Cook, Philly.com, "Msgr. John J. Miller, 80, St. Frances Cabrini pastor emeritus and liturgy expert," 8 Dec. 2017 And Vi Lyles released the endorsement of Bishop George Battle Jr., a leader of the the A.M.E. Zion Church and presiding prelate of the Piedmont Episcopal District. — Jim Morrill, charlotteobserver, "Why are an Obama aide and a CNN commentator involved in Charlotte’s mayoral race?," 8 Sep. 2017 The Vatican has not commented publicly on the reports in French daily Le Monde and other lay and religious publications that Zerbo, Diarra and another Mali prelate opened the Swiss accounts starting in 2002. — Frances D'emilio, The Seattle Times, "Mali bishop pledges to make cardinal’s ceremony amid scandal," 27 June 2017These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'prelate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for prelate
prelate
noun
English Language Learners Definition of prelate
: a high-ranking Christian priest : a bishop, cardinal, etc.
See the full definition for prelate in the English Language Learners Dictionary
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