Religious councils (6)
I believe the answer is:
synods
<span class="explanation-format__ClueExplanation">'<span class="explanation-format__original">religious councils</span>' is the definition.<br/ ><span class="explanation-format__explanation">(synod is a type of religious assembly)</span><br/ ><br/ >This is all the clue.<br/ ></span>
(Other definitions for synods that I've seen before include "Council to discuss ecclesiastical business" , "Ecclesiastical councils" , "Councils attended by clergy to discuss policy" , "Council meetings of clergy to discuss policy" , "Councils of bishops" .)