He was involved in constant quarrels with clerical circles and frequently had to defend himself against accusations of heresy.

These journalists have stated that the historic roots of criticisms against Opus Dei can be found in influential clerical circles.

Playing an important role in clerical circles, she reportedly was an adherent of Bishop Hermogenes and priest Heliodorus, being an opponent of Grigori Rasputin.

Arash worked for an environmental group, but he could not advance far in his career without establishing connections in clerical circles.

That sense of defeat is felt even in clerical circles in Qum, the country's training ground for clerics.

Still, in clerical circles, Mr. Kadivar is an odd fit.

He returned to Iran at the age of 40 and stayed in Tehran, where as a distinguished disciple of Koohkamari, became the centre of clerical circles.

"At the time of Rachel's birth he was about thirty-three years old and an established figure in clerical circles."

The invincible power of love and spiritual beauty of man is glorified and feudal relations and nationalistic tendencies propagandized by clerical circles are attacked.

Ignored by Iranian scholars, such figures managed to enter and influence traditional clerical circles and the policy makers of the Islamic Republic.