Bible Encyclopedias
Secular Clergy
Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
Parish priests and all who were charged with the cure of souls were named clerici seculares, so called as living according to the manners of the time (seculum). They were so called in contradistinction to regular clergy (q.v.), who belonged to the monastic orders or religious congregations.
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Bibliography Information
McClintock, John. Strong, James. Entry for 'Secular Clergy'. Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature. https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/tce/s/secular-clergy.html. Harper & Brothers. New York. 1870.