They created a "a rigid religious hierarchy with unlimited power and influence in every sphere of life."

The lower clergy had a similar sentiment about the higher echelons of the religious hierarchy.

Stringent family beliefs are thought to have led to the development of a more constrained religious hierarchy.

The religious hierarchy played its part as well.

Women as theological figures have played a significant role in the development of various religions and religious hierarchies.

Is there some sort of religious or cultural hierarchy among the Ferals?

The disagreement between the student and the rector goes all the way to the top of the religious hierarchy.

Until 1951 Tibet was ruled by a religious hierarchy.

A dean, in a church context, is a cleric holding certain positions of authority within a religious hierarchy.

If however a secular ruler controls the religious hierarchy, he can use it to legitimate his own authority.