Prelacy

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A governance structure within a religious organization where bishops and high clergy maintain authority
2. the rank or system of offices held by those in ecclesiastical leadership
3. A hierarchical system within a church organization characterized by the authority of bishops and senior clergy over the faithful

Etymology: The root of this term is a Latin verb meaning "to set before" or "to prefer." Its past participle, "praelatus," gave Medieval Latin "praelatia," the source of the English word's sense of a body of high churchmen. The verb is built from "prae," meaning "before," and "ferre," meaning "to carry," so the image behind it is of someone carried or placed in front of others. The same verb sits behind "prefer," which is why the two words share a family resemblance. A prelate was originally someone set above the ordinary clergy, and the word for the system they formed inherited that sense of rank and precedence. The ecclesiastical meaning remained central, so the word still refers to the offices and hierarchy of church leadership rather than to any secular rank.

Synonyms: hierarchy, ecclesiastical authority