priesthood
all priests as a group
All the priests in a particular religion, seen together as one group.
the priesthood of [religion/tradition]
- There is growing concern about the aging Catholic priesthood in many countries.
- Women are not allowed to join the priesthood in that denomination.
- The reforms were strongly resisted by the conservative wing of the priesthood.
- He spent his life studying the history of the medieval priesthood.
- Scandals within the priesthood have damaged the church’s reputation.
- The priesthood in this church is all male.
- Many people in the priesthood live very simple lives.
- The new bishop wants to bring young people into the priesthood.
office or vocation of a priest
The job and way of life of a priest.
enter the priesthood
- She thought seriously about the priesthood in her twenties.
- After years in business, he finally decided to enter the priesthood.
- His parents were surprised when he told them he wanted to leave the priesthood.
- The seminary prepares candidates for the priesthood through study and prayer.
- He describes the priesthood as a demanding but deeply rewarding life.
- He wants to enter the priesthood next year.
- Many people do not understand why she chose the priesthood.
- Some priests leave the priesthood and start a new life.
religious authority or power of priests
The special religious power and right that priests have to do holy actions.
hold the priesthood
- In their tradition, only men can hold the priesthood.
- He was ordained to the priesthood after many years of preparation.
- Debates about who may exercise the priesthood have divided the church.
- Some believers see the priesthood as a divine gift passed down through history.
- The movement challenged the idea that the priesthood should be limited to a small group.
- In this church, women cannot hold the priesthood.
- He received the priesthood when he was twenty-three.
- They believe the priesthood is a special power from God.
powerful expert group (figurative)
A small, important group of experts who have a lot of power in some area, said in a figurative way.
the [field] priesthood
- Critics say climate policy is still dominated by a narrow scientific priesthood.
- The language of tax law is so complex that it creates a kind of legal priesthood.
- Journalists complained that decisions were made by a secretive political priesthood in the capital.
- The technology priesthood often seems disconnected from ordinary users’ needs.
- He argued that economics should be opened up to citizens and not left to a priesthood of experts.
- Some people think a small scientific priesthood controls the debate.
- The rules are so hard that only a legal priesthood understands them.
- He says we should not let a priesthood of experts make every big decision.
- Base: priesthood
- Plural: priesthood
call to the priesthood
1sense of vocation to be a priest
A strong feeling or belief that God wants a person to become a priest.
- He first felt a call to the priesthood as a teenager.
- Many candidates describe their call to the priesthood as both joyful and frightening.
enter the priesthood
1become a priest officially
To start a life as a priest, usually after formal training and a special religious ceremony.
- He decided to enter the priesthood after finishing university.
- Many people are surprised when young women say they want to enter the priesthood in that church.
hold the priesthood
1possess priestly authority
To have official priestly authority in a religious group.
- In that church, only certain members are allowed to hold the priesthood.
- They debated whether women should be able to hold the priesthood.
join the priesthood
1start a career as a priest
To begin the work and way of life of a priest.
- She felt called to join the priesthood at an early age.
- Fewer young people are choosing to join the priesthood today.
priesthood of all believers
1doctrine that all believers are priests
A Christian teaching that every believer has direct access to God and shares some spiritual duties like a priest, not only the official clergy.
- The reformers strongly defended the idea of the priesthood of all believers.
- For many Protestants, the priesthood of all believers is a central part of their faith.