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
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
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
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
While increasingly common, the ecclesial apology is a relatively modern phenomenon, said Jeremy Bergen, a church apology expert and professor of religious and theological studies at Conrad Grebel University College in Waterloo, Ontario.
—Peter Smith, BostonGlobe.com, 24 July 2022
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
Because of the circular design and lightweight material of the pellegrina, which opens at the front, the wind easily sweeps beneath it, making the liturgical vestment the ecclesial equivalent of Marilyn Monroe’s iconic white dress.
—The Salt Lake Tribune, 10 Mar. 2021
Chayenne Polimédio, Foreign Affairs, 7 Mar. 2019
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
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
While increasingly common, the ecclesial apology is a relatively modern phenomenon, said Jeremy Bergen, a church apology expert and professor of religious and theological studies at Conrad Grebel University College in Waterloo, Ontario.
—Peter Smith, BostonGlobe.com, 24 July 2022
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
Because of the circular design and lightweight material of the pellegrina, which opens at the front, the wind easily sweeps beneath it, making the liturgical vestment the ecclesial equivalent of Marilyn Monroe’s iconic white dress.
—The Salt Lake Tribune, 10 Mar. 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ecclesial
Adjective
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To be sure, some of the new pope’s ecclesiastical priorities, such as highlighting inequality in what is the world’s most unequal region, will resonate with many Latin Americans; and most Latin Americans will see the rise to the papacy of one of their own as a tremendous source of pride.—
Omar G. Encarnación,
Foreign Affairs,
19 Mar. 2013
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Second, the dating of the Paschal Full Moon is not based on astronomical computations but rather is taken from ecclesiastical tables.—
Joe Rao,
Space.com,
12 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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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
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Forget Fleabag, Conclave, Nobody Wants This, or Ramy, there’s a new ecclesiastic bombshell on the block.—
Riann Phillip,
Vogue,
31 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Francis urged political leaders to guard against religious extremism and warned Catholics not to force their faith on others during a 2024 visit to Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim-majority country.—
N'dea Yancey-Bragg,
USA Today,
22 Apr. 2025
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For many in the Baptist denomination, Easter Sunday church service isn’t just a religious obligation but a homecoming.—
Tiana Randall,
Vogue,
21 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ecclesial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ecclesial. Accessed 4 May. 2025.
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