episcopacy

[ ih-pis-kuh-puh-see ]

noun

, plural e·pis·co·pa·cies.

1. government of the church by bishops; church government in which there are three distinct orders of ministers, namely bishops, priests or presbyters, and deacons.
2. episcopate.

episcopacy

/ ɪˈpɪskəpəsɪ /

noun

1. government of a Church by bishops
2. another word for episcopate

Word History and Origins

Origin of episcopacy¹

First recorded in 1640–50; episcop(ate) + -acy

Example Sentences

McKenzie, now retired, was later joined by more women bishops, though men still comprise most of the AME episcopacy.

From Seattle Times

This is a reference to the Root and Branch Bill of 1641, which sought to abolish episcopacy, and led directly to the Civil War.

From Literature

Given Bransfield’s nearly 14-year episcopacy, Quirk and other diocesan officials must answer for why they waited until Bransfield’s retirement to blow the whistle.

From Washington Post

The episcopacy as an institution has been corrupted.

From Washington Post

“The en masse resignation of the Chilean episcopacy is as stunning as it is necessary,” said Anne Barrett Doyle of the online resource BishopAccountability, which has tracked more than 80 cases of accused priests in Chile.

From Seattle Times