"Religious hierarchy" refers to the system or structure within a religion that places individuals or groups in different levels of authority or importance based on their position or role. Full definition
The higher authority being the self - appointed religious hierarchy? (religion.blogs.cnn.com)
There are enough unusual names and complicated religious hierarchies in God of War that it's a good idea to turn on subtitles, at least at first. (kotaku.com)
Their enthusiastic support of expensive, lie - based, unnecessary massive violence (e.g., the War in Iraq) directly contradicts the teachings of Jesus, as the Vatican and most Protestant religious hierarchies have repeatedly pointed out. (religion.blogs.cnn.com)