laity
noun
la·ity ˈlā-ə-tē 
1
: the people of a religious faith as distinguished from its clergy
The laity has played an important role in the history of the church.
2
: the mass of the people as distinguished from those of a particular profession or those specially skilled
writers who can interpret this wholeness both to their colleagues and the laity
P. B. Sears
P. B. Sears
Example Sentences
a member of the laity The laity has played an important role in the history of the church.
Recent Examples on the Web It's run mostly by laity, but in cooperation with church prelates and the wider Catholic hierarchy. Fox News, 28 Aug. 2022 In the message, the pope expressed concern for the laity and clergy of Germany if their leaders break with established church teaching. Fox News, 21 July 2022 Just this week, the head of the Vatican’s laity office, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, wrote to Carron’s successor complaining that Carron and his followers were still exercising influence against the Vatican’s reforms. Nicole Winfield, ajc, 15 June 2022 More broadly, the laity can powerfully impact the vision, mission, and core values of their respective communities. Rabbi Avi Weiss, Sun Sentinel, 9 May 2022 The intense little group must articulate the church’s goals, interview ministerial candidates and present the best applicant to the laity. Washington Post, 3 May 2022 Courageous clergy and laity organized resistance to this oppression. George Weigel, WSJ, 17 Mar. 2022 This suffering is elicited by the intercession of qualified (or ordained) critics and psychotherapists, who join in this communion of pain and distress, and share it with the laity via books and monographs. Will Self, Harper's Magazine, 23 Nov. 2021 That has emboldened bishops and laity to test the limits of Rome’s authority. Francis X. Rocca, WSJ, 29 Sep. 2021 See More
Fox News, 28 Aug. 2022 In the message, the pope expressed concern for the laity and clergy of Germany if their leaders break with established church teaching. Fox News, 21 July 2022 Just this week, the head of the Vatican’s laity office, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, wrote to Carron’s successor complaining that Carron and his followers were still exercising influence against the Vatican’s reforms. Nicole Winfield, ajc, 15 June 2022 More broadly, the laity can powerfully impact the vision, mission, and core values of their respective communities. Rabbi Avi Weiss, Sun Sentinel, 9 May 2022 The intense little group must articulate the church’s goals, interview ministerial candidates and present the best applicant to the laity. Washington Post, 3 May 2022 Courageous clergy and laity organized resistance to this oppression. George Weigel, WSJ, 17 Mar. 2022 This suffering is elicited by the intercession of qualified (or ordained) critics and psychotherapists, who join in this communion of pain and distress, and share it with the laity via books and monographs. Will Self, Harper's Magazine, 23 Nov. 2021 That has emboldened bishops and laity to test the limits of Rome’s authority. Francis X. Rocca, WSJ, 29 Sep. 2021 See More Word History
Etymology
lay entry 5
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
laities
noun
as in churches
the people of a religion who are not priests, ministers, etc. a member of the laity The laity has played an important role in the history of the church. Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- churches
- flocks
- congregations
- parishes
- denominations
- assemblies
- folds
- communions
- confessions
- sects