concordat

[ kon-kawr-dat ]

noun

1. an agreement or compact, especially an official one.
2. an agreement between the pope and a secular government regarding the regulation of church matters.

concordat

/ kɒnˈkɔːdæt /

noun

1. a pact or treaty, esp one between the Vatican and another state concerning the interests of religion in that state

Other Words From

• con·cor·da·to·ry [kon-, kawr, -d, uh, -tawr-ee, -tohr-ee], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of concordat¹

1610–20; < French; replacing concordate < Medieval Latin concordātum, Latin: neuter of concordātus, past participle of concordāre to be in agreement. See concord, -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of concordat¹

C17: via French, from Medieval Latin concordātum, from Latin: something agreed, from concordāre to be of one mind; see concord

Example Sentences

"Our legal system contains all the guarantees to ensure that laws always respect constitutional principles and international commitments, including the concordat with the Church," he said.

From Reuters

In 1933, he negotiated a concordat between the Catholic church and Germany.

From The Guardian

But in both France and Italy, a “concordat” between the Vatican and state means that bishops can refuse to testify in court.

From The Guardian

The concordat targets staff members who are primarily employed to do research, including postdocs, contract researchers and technicians.

From Nature

Bishops’ wages are paid by the state and Catholic schools receive state support, in accordance with a concordat signed in 1979 between the Vatican and Argentina’s 1976-83 military dictatorship.

From The Guardian

Related Words

• arrangement
• bargain
• bond
• commitment
• guarantee
• obligation
• pact
• pledge
• record
• settlement