When did priests not become important?

Priests began to lose their prominence in various societies during the Enlightenment in the 17th and 18th centuries, as secular ideas and scientific reasoning gained traction. The rise of individualism and the questioning of traditional authorities diminished the role of clergy in public life. Additionally, the advent of modern secular states and the separation of church and state further contributed to the decline of their influence. However, in many cultures and communities, priests still hold significant social and spiritual roles.