defrock
Remove from clergy
To defrock is to strip a member of the clergy of their religious office and authority, typically as punishment for misconduct.
The term extends to removing anyone from a position of honor or professional standing: The physician was defrocked after the scandal.
Also spelled unfrock.
Remove clerical status
- stripNarrow elongated piece
- divestRid of assets
- dismissSend away or reject
- expelRemove forcibly from membership
oust · remove · depose · disrobe · banish · degradation · suspension · excommunicate
One who performs sacraments
- ministerReligious leader or serve
- pastorChristian congregation leader
- bishopDiocesan clergy head
- clericOrdained religious leader
vicar · rector · prelate · monsignor · ordination · priesthood · vestments · collar
Improper professional behavior
- abuseCruel or violent treatment
- allegationsUnproven formal claims
- investigationFormal examination of facts
- cover-upHiding wrongdoing from public
impropriety · testimony · accusation · victim · inquiry · tribunal · whistleblower · indictment
Formal event marking occasions
- tribunalJudicial decision-making body
- bishopDiocesan clergy head
- VaticanPapal city-state
- church lawReligious institution's legal system
Loss of respect
- humiliationLoss of dignity
- shamePainful awareness of failure
- degradationDecline in condition
- stigmaMark of dishonor
fall from grace · disrepute · contempt · reproach · tarnish · scandal · ignominy · discredit
laicize
Remove clerical status
expel · oust · remove · depose · disrobe · banish · degradation · suspension · excommunicate · discharge
priest
One who performs sacraments
cleric · vicar · rector · prelate · monsignor · ordination · priesthood · vestments · collar · cassock
misconduct
Improper professional behavior
- abuseCruel or violent treatment
- allegationsUnproven formal claims
- investigationFormal examination of facts
cover-up · impropriety · testimony · accusation · victim · inquiry · tribunal · whistleblower · indictment · verdict
ceremony
Formal event marking occasions
church law · canon law · apostolic · decree · pronouncement
dishonor
Loss of respect
- humiliationLoss of dignity
- shamePainful awareness of failure
- degradationDecline in condition
stigma · fall from grace · disrepute · contempt · reproach · tarnish · scandal · ignominy · discredit · censure
defrockordain
Confer clerical authority
consecrate · take holy orders · ordinate · invest · anoint
- defrocked priestFormer clergy, officially dismissed