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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These final days of Lent, constituting the most solemn season of the ecclesiastical year, will commemorate the passion and death of Christ.—
From staff reports,
Memphis Commercial Appeal,
2 Apr. 2026
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The ecclesiastical equinox is fixed on March 21, even though the astronomical equinox can fall on a different date, such as March 20 in 2026.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Waugh was based for many years in a grand house in nearby Combe Florey and adapted this local ecclesiastic landmark for fictional purposes.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Feb. 2026
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Think of it like an ecclesiastic LinkedIn.—
Jack Murtagh,
Scientific American,
11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The measure advances Howard County Executive Calvin Ball's Interfaith Action Plan, which analyzed 12 areas in an effort to ensure that all religious communities receive compassion, justice and care.—
JT Moodee Lockman,
CBS News,
9 Apr. 2026
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Many Brazilian religious groups and social activists regularly have criticized betting companies for their role, as gambling in any other form is not legal in Brazil.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ecclesial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ecclesial. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
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