Prelates collectively.

synonym: prelature.

Roget 995: church, churchdom; ministry, apostleship^†, priesthood, prelacy, hierarch^†, church government, christendom, pale of the church.    clericalism, sacerdotalism^†, episcopalianism, ultramontanism^†; theocracy; ecclesiology^†, ecclesiologist^†; priestcraft^†, odium theologicum [Lat.].    monachism^†, monachy^†; monasticism, monkhood^†.    [Ecclesiastical offices and dignities] pontificate, primacy, archbishopric^†, archiepiscopacy^†; prelacy; bishopric, bishopdom^†; episcopate, episcopacy; see, diocese; deanery, stall; canonry, canonicate^†; prebend, prebendaryship^†; benefice, incumbency, glebe, advowson^†, living, cure; rectorship^†; vicariate, vicarship; deaconry^†, deaconship^†; curacy; chaplain, chaplaincy, chaplainship; cardinalate, cardinalship^†; abbacy, presbytery.    holy orders, ordination, institution, consecration, induction, reading in, preferment, translation, presentation.    popedom^†; the Vatican, the apostolic see; religious sects etc. 984.    council etc. 696; conclave, convocation, synod, consistory, chapter, vestry; sanhedrim, conge d'elire [Fr.]; ecclesiastical courts, consistorial court, court of Arches.    ... show more

The office or station of a prelate.

synonym: prelature.