The advocacy of exaggerated claims on the part of the clergy, especially in matters that lie in the field of the proper jurisdiction of the State. Quite generally, however, it is used as a term of denunciation in the literature of free-thinkers, radicals, and secularists who aim to banish all religious influence from public life, and consequently decry as clericalism the rightful application of moral principles to matters, economic, social, and political. Latin masonry especially loses no opportunity to raise the cry of clericalism in the furtherance of its designs of secularism. Instead it favors laicism, i.e.,the activity of the laity to the exclusion of the clergy in every sphere. Gambetta is credited with the slogan: "Clericalisme, voilà Pennemi" (clericalism, that's the enemy).
This dictionary contains not only definitions and explanations of every subject in Religion, Scripture, tradition, doctrine, morals, sacraments, rites, customs, devotions and symbolism, but also accounts of the Church in every continent, country, diocese; missions, notable Catholic centers, cities, and places with religious names; religious orders, church societies, sects and false religions. It has brief articles also on historical events and personages, on the Old Testament and New, and on popes, prelates, priests, men and women of distinction, showing what the Church has done for civilization and correcting many errors which have hitherto passed for history.Wikipedia
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