Clergy

Clergy are formal leaders within established <a href="/facts/Religion/cxntrD0R">religions</a>. Their roles and functions vary in different religious traditions, but usually involve presiding over specific rituals and teaching their religion's <a href="/facts/Doctrine/MtDwPUVg">doctrines</a> and practices. Some of the terms used for individual clergy are clergyman, clergywoman, clergyperson, churchman, cleric, ecclesiastic, and vicegerent while clerk in holy orders has a long history but is rarely used.
In <a href="/facts/Christianity/nKyJHlqq">Christianity</a>, the specific names and roles of the clergy vary by <a href="/facts/Christian_denomination/rRQgoQd8">denomination</a> and there is a wide range of formal and informal clergy positions, including <a href="/facts/Deacon/wcWsChHH">deacons</a>, <a href="/facts/Elder_(Christianity)/v7M8jXJe">elders</a>, <a href="/facts/Priest/fDMmV2wN">priests</a>, <a href="/facts/Bishop/n2QGsDWx">bishops</a>, <a href="/facts/Cardinal_(Catholic_Church)/Acxx5Hd4">cardinals</a>, <a href="/facts/Preacher/XbQGd1Ap">preachers</a>, <a href="/facts/Pastor/7MptxPeo">pastors</a>, <a href="/facts/Presbyter/quT5KD6M">presbyters</a>, <a href="/facts/Minister_(Christianity)/43EbwUQa">ministers</a>, and the <a href="/facts/Pope/9zVokNjn">pope</a>.
In <a href="/facts/Islam/zDLbL45C">Islam</a>, a religious leader is often known formally or informally as an <a href="/facts/Imam/BKmjWDg0">imam</a>, <a href="/facts/Caliph/qQ6hCspe">caliph</a>, <a href="/facts/Qadi/A4L7m5ca">qadi</a>, <a href="/facts/Mufti/XCz855DR">mufti</a>, <a href="/facts/Sheikh/0Upp3Dbz">sheikh</a>, <a href="/facts/Mullah/4gSasztV">mullah</a>, <a href="/facts/Muezzin/m2L5P4ax">muezzin</a>, and <a href="/facts/Ulema/7vMcAgBV">ulema</a>.
In the <a href="/facts/Judaism/tjQ5Tgs6">Jewish tradition</a>, a religious leader is often a <a href="/facts/Rabbi/vuBf5LYj">rabbi</a> (teacher) or <a href="/facts/Hazzan/vtpXmXwL">hazzan</a> (cantor).

Clergy open-in-new

Clergy