episcopacy

American  

[ih-pis-kuh-puh-see] / ɪˈpɪs kə pə si /

noun

plural

episcopacies

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.

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episcopacy British  

/ ɪˈpɪskəpəsɪ /

noun

1. government of a Church by bishops

2. another word for episcopate

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Etymology

Origin of episcopacy

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

Example Sentences

He has previously insisted the "majority of the Anglican Communion still believes that the Bible requires a male-only episcopacy".

From Barron's • Mar. 25, 2026

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

From Seattle Times • Dec. 9, 2021

The Right Rev. Minerva G. Carcaño, the first Hispanic woman to be elected to the episcopacy of the United Methodist Church, will preach at the 11:15 service.

From Washington Post • Feb. 26, 2016

Archbishop Sanchez’s successor, Michael J. Sheehan, said in the statement, “We continue to acknowledge the good he did during his episcopacy, are well aware of his human failings, and mourn his death.”

From New York Times • Jan. 24, 2012

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 "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton