1. a system of church government in which authority is vested in bishops or prelates; the principles or practices of prelacy.
Usage: often used in religious or historical contexts; sometimes considered archaic or formal
2. excessive devotion to or support of the authority and privileges of bishops and the hierarchical church structure.
Usage: often used critically or polemically

Examples

• The Reformation challenged the prelatism that had dominated medieval Christianity.
• Some Protestant denominations rejected prelatism in favor of democratic church governance.
• The debate over prelatism divided English churches in the 17th century.
• Critics of prelatism argued that bishops held too much power over ordinary clergy.
• The establishment of prelatism in the Anglican Church reflected its hierarchical structure.