What does anticlericalism mean?
Anticlericalism is opposition to the influence, power, or privileges of the clergy, particularly when exercised through political or institutional channels. The term is most often encountered in historical and political writing, where it describes movements that sought to curb the Church's role in government, education, and public life. It has been especially prominent in countries with strong Catholic institutions, including France, Spain, Italy, and Mexico, where anticlerical campaigns at times involved confiscating church property, restricting religious orders, or expelling clergy. Importantly, anticlericalism is not the same as atheism or secularism: it targets the clergy as an institution rather than religious belief itself, and many anticlericals were themselves believers who resented ecclesiastical privilege. The word derives from 'anticlerical,' combining the Greek-derived prefix 'anti-' ('against') with 'clerical,' from Latin 'clericus' ('clergyman'). It remains useful for describing debates over the proper boundary between religious authority and civil society.
nounOpposition to the influence, power, or privileges of the clergy, especially as a political or social movement.
- Opposition to the political and social power of the clergy, typically in the context of state–church relations.
- Hostility toward clerics as a class, including their perceived wealth, privilege, or moral authority.
"The revolution was fueled by a deep anticlericalism that targeted church property and clerical privilege alike."
"Mexican anticlericalism in the 1920s led to strict constitutional limits on church property and clerical dress."
"His anticlericalism was less about doctrine than about resentment of bishops' political influence."
Rarely used; the word normally appears as an uncountable mass noun. A plural may appear only when distinguishing different national or historical varieties of anticlerical sentiment.
"Historians have compared French and Mexican anticlericalisms to identify shared patterns of church–state conflict."
In revolutionary France, anticlericalism ran so deep that revolutionaries redrew the calendar itself — renaming months and stripping Sundays — to erase the Church's grip on time.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of anticlericalism
Anticlericalism derives from 'anticlerical,' formed by adding the prefix 'anti-' (from Greek, meaning 'against') to 'clerical,' which comes from Latin 'clericus,' meaning a clergyman or clerk in holy orders. The underlying root traces back further to Greek 'klērikos,' relating to the clergy. The term emerged in European political discourse, particularly in nineteenth-century France and other Catholic-majority nations where conflict between church and state was intense. Related words sharing this lineage include 'cleric,' 'clergy,' and 'clerical.'
Related word forms
How anticlericalism is actually used
A formal, largely academic and historical term; rarely used in casual conversation. It carries a political connotation and is often associated with specific national contexts such as France, Spain, Mexico, and Italy. It does not necessarily imply hostility to religion itself — many anticlericals were devout believers who objected to clerical institutional power.
Easily confused with anticlericalism
Secularism is the broader principle of separating religion from public life, while anticlericalism specifically opposes the power and privileges of clergy as an institution.
Atheism is disbelief in God, whereas anticlericalism is opposition to clerical authority and can be held by religious believers as well.