1.  And domestic popular discontent and external political isolation, Washington hoped, would bring the clerical leadership to its senses.

2.  Increasingly, too, there is defiance of the social and moral rigidities imposed by the clerical leadership.

3.  Critics say the faith has become corrupted, and wonder whether it can withstand a corrosive mix of materialism, distorted beliefs and failure of clerical leadership.

4.  The Education Ministry has proposed a review of the existing Buddhist clergy laws so that clerical leadership appointments are free from clerical politics.

5.  However, the clerical leadership in the holy city of Qom has been split on whether to support the speaker or stay neutral.