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
In matters of religious, communal, and pastoral Christian life in the Holy Land, there is no higher ecclesial authority.
—
Fares Abraham, Washington Post, 22 Jan. 2026
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 the case of the Synodal Path reform in Germany, some of the core of the beliefs of the Catholic Church, such as the Church’s divine constitution and ecclesial communion, the Sacraments, and the ministerial Priesthood, are being questioned once again.
—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
Fares Abraham, Washington Post, 22 Jan. 2026
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 the case of the Synodal Path reform in Germany, some of the core of the beliefs of the Catholic Church, such as the Church’s divine constitution and ecclesial communion, the Sacraments, and the ministerial Priesthood, are being questioned once again.
—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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But the chapel, heavy with the scent of ecclesiastical incense, felt as genuine as could be, worn from nearly two centuries of worship.—
Paul Brady,
Travel + Leisure,
15 May 2026
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Walsh’s ruling gave the OCA, which is the largest of three Russian Orthodox ecclesiastical bodies in the United States, authority to govern the parish and the judge ordered the parish’s former leaders to vacate the property by June 2025.—
Lauren Costantino,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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This will be followed by a final period in Florence to learn the technique and historical evolution of egg tempera, to acquire ancient handweaving skills and expand her knowledge of its applications in the ecclesiastic context.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
7 May 2026
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Back then, Kennedy was constantly fending off accusations from Protestant ecclesiastic types who were wary that his nomination meant the pontiff, John XXIII, was already packing his bags for a move into the White House.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Many, though not all, Shiites support Hezbollah, as do Lebanese from other religious groups.—
Rania Abouzeid,
New Yorker,
21 May 2026
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Hunting, gathering, and ceremonies connected to the Brunot lands are integral to Ute religious and cultural life, with the Ute people historically returning to familiar hunting and gathering areas year after year.—
Shaun Chapoose,
Denver Post,
20 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ecclesial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ecclesial. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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