It was supported by a strong section of the clerical hierarchy, eleven out of seventeen cardinals and bishops.

Beside the clerical hierarchy, the Archbishop of Nidaros had his own organisation of officers and servants.

Though widely popular, he and his reform movement have struggled to assert themselves against the conservative clerical hierarchy.

His destiny was to be a priest, but he was an Indian, and Indians in those days did not fit into clerical hierarchies.

Within the priesthood, there are many offices, which represent a category of positions within the clerical hierarchy of the church.

The clerical hierarchy is loosely organized, and clerics are free to join or leave a temple's ranks as they wish.

Now he knows that the clerical hierarchy derives its authority from the demiurge- not from the Father.

Obedience to the clerical hierarchy requires believers to submit themselves to "blind guides" whose authority comes from the malevolent creator.

Wherever Videssos' dominions ran, men and women prayed in the same way and acknowledged the same clerical hierarchy.

During the years that Jerusalem was under Muslim rule, positions in the clerical hierarchy were decided by Islamic officials.