nonpriest

Nonpriest is a general descriptor for someone who does not hold priestly ordination. In religious discourse, it distinguishes ordained clergy from those who participate in religious life without being priests. The term can apply to laypeople—the laity—who contribute to religious communities, as well as to members of religious orders who have taken vows but are not ordained as priests, such as monks, nuns, or brothers.

In Catholicism and other traditions with formal priesthood, ordained clergy include bishops and priests, and, separately, deacons who are also ordained but not priests. Laypersons may perform many church responsibilities—teaching, catechesis, charitable work, altar serving, readers, and other roles—without priestly ordination. Some liturgical functions can be performed by nonordained people under authorization, such as lay ministers who assist during services. In many Protestant and other Christian denominations, terminology for clergy varies (pastors, ministers, elders, etc.), but lay leadership and nonordained participation remain common.

Use and nuance are context dependent. The term nonpriest is primarily descriptive and informal, used mainly in scholarly, sociological, or comparative discussions. In everyday language, more common terms include layperson, the laity, nonordained person, or nonclerical helper, depending on the cultural and religious setting.

See also: layperson, clergy, priest, deacon, religious orders.