consistory
noun
con·sis·to·ry
kən-ˈsi-st(ə-)rē 
plural consistories
1
: a solemn assembly : council
2
: a church tribunal or governing body: such as
a
: a solemn meeting of Roman Catholic cardinals convoked and presided over by the pope
b
: a church session in some Reformed churches
3
: the organization that confers the degrees of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry usually from the 19th to the 32nd inclusive
also
: a meeting of such an organization
Examples of consistory in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Last year, Pope Francis elevated Bishop Robert McElroy of San Diego, California, to cardinal during his August consistory.
—
Teddy Grant, ABC News, 9 July 2023
If Francis chooses to resign during the August consistory, that consistory would automatically become a conclave, with the cardinal-electors locked in the Sistine Chapel until a new pope has been chosen.
—Grayson Quay, The Week, 7 June 2022
In recent days, some Italian and international news reports have suggested that the pope’s abdication could be at hand — a theory based less on hard evidence than on eyebrow-raising over a series of unusual events slated for late August, starting with the consistory.
—Stefano Pitrelli, Washington Post, 7 June 2022
Calling a major consistory in late August to create new cardinals, gathering churchmen for two days of talks on implementing his reform and making a symbolically significant pastoral visit suggests Francis might have out-of-the-ordinary business in mind.
—Nicole Winfield, ajc, 5 June 2022
The visit was announced following another move that raised questions: Francis' decision to call a consistory for Aug. 27 to create 21 new cardinals — 16 of whom would be eligible to vote on who will decide on his replacement, according to The Washington Post.
—Alexandra Schonfeld, PEOPLE.com, 4 July 2022
Van Looy had been one of 21 individuals Francis selected for the honor, a move that will be formalized — for the other 20 — during a consistory in August.
—Chico Harlan, Washington Post, 17 June 2022
After the consistory, those from Europe will account for 42% of the College of Cardinals, compared to 52% in 2013, when Francis’ pontificate began.
—Frances D'emilio, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2022
After the next consistory, the number of voting-age cardinals from Asia and Africa will have nearly doubled, compared with the conclave that elected Francis.
—Stefano Pitrelli, Washington Post, 7 June 2022
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Teddy Grant, ABC News, 9 July 2023
If Francis chooses to resign during the August consistory, that consistory would automatically become a conclave, with the cardinal-electors locked in the Sistine Chapel until a new pope has been chosen.
—Grayson Quay, The Week, 7 June 2022
In recent days, some Italian and international news reports have suggested that the pope’s abdication could be at hand — a theory based less on hard evidence than on eyebrow-raising over a series of unusual events slated for late August, starting with the consistory.
—Stefano Pitrelli, Washington Post, 7 June 2022
Calling a major consistory in late August to create new cardinals, gathering churchmen for two days of talks on implementing his reform and making a symbolically significant pastoral visit suggests Francis might have out-of-the-ordinary business in mind.
—Nicole Winfield, ajc, 5 June 2022
The visit was announced following another move that raised questions: Francis' decision to call a consistory for Aug. 27 to create 21 new cardinals — 16 of whom would be eligible to vote on who will decide on his replacement, according to The Washington Post.
—Alexandra Schonfeld, PEOPLE.com, 4 July 2022
Van Looy had been one of 21 individuals Francis selected for the honor, a move that will be formalized — for the other 20 — during a consistory in August.
—Chico Harlan, Washington Post, 17 June 2022
After the consistory, those from Europe will account for 42% of the College of Cardinals, compared to 52% in 2013, when Francis’ pontificate began.
—Frances D'emilio, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2022
After the next consistory, the number of voting-age cardinals from Asia and Africa will have nearly doubled, compared with the conclave that elected Francis.
—Stefano Pitrelli, Washington Post, 7 June 2022
Dictionary Entries Near consistory
Cite this Entry
“Consistory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/consistory. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share