ecclesiastical court

noun

1. a church court in ecclesiastical matters, presided over by members of the clergy and usually having no compulsory jurisdiction.

Word History and Origins

Origin of ecclesiastical court¹

First recorded in 1675–85

Example Sentences

The matter be decided at a consistory court hearing, which is an ecclesiastical court dealing with matters of law relating to the Church - mainly in relation to its buildings.

From BBC

An ecclesiastical court is to decide whether Cambridge University can move a memorial to a 17th Century benefactor who invested in the slave trade.

From BBC

A judge of the Ecclesiastical court for the diocese, Stephen Eyre QC, Chancellor of the Diocese of Coventry, had said the inscription could be seen as a political statement.

From BBC

Father Sergei faces another session of the ecclesiastical court on 26 June.

From BBC

After suspending him in May the Russian Orthodox Church organised an ecclesiastical court to determine his future.

From BBC