defrocking
Stripping priestly status
Defrocking is the act of stripping a member of the clergy of their official status and authority.
A priest defrocked for misconduct can no longer perform sacraments or represent the church.
The term extends to removing anyone from a position of honor or authority: The committee voted for his defrocking after the scandal.
Formal barring from sacraments
- clergyOrdained religious officials collectively
- ordinationClergy appointment ceremony
- priesthoodOrdained religious office
- bishopDiocesan clergy head
canonical · ecclesiastical · papacy · diocese · vestments · collar · cassock · holy orders
Removal from position
- expulsionForced permanent removal
- ousterForced removal from position
- dischargeRelease of substance outward
- terminationAct of ending something
suspension · stripping · revocation · demotion · banishment · ejection · removal · disbarment
Painful awareness of failure
- humiliationLoss of dignity
- dishonorLoss of respect
- disgraceLoss of honor
- stigmaMark of dishonor
infamy · ignominy · disrepute · scandal · tarnish · fall · downfall · ruin
Improper professional behavior
- abuseCruel or violent treatment
- cover-upHiding wrongdoing from public
- investigationFormal examination of facts
- accusationClaim someone did wrong
allegation · victim · testimony · whistleblower · exposure · revelation · confession · inquiry
Formal event marking occasions
- riteCeremonial act or practice
- pronouncementFormal authoritative statement
- decreeAuthoritative legal command
- officiatingOverseeing formal proceedings
excommunication
Formal barring from sacraments
- clergyOrdained religious officials collectively
- ordinationClergy appointment ceremony
- priesthoodOrdained religious office
bishop · canonical · ecclesiastical · papacy · diocese · vestments · collar · cassock · holy orders · ministry
dismissal
Removal from position
- expulsionForced permanent removal
- ousterForced removal from position
- dischargeRelease of substance outward
termination · suspension · stripping · revocation · demotion · banishment · ejection · removal · disbarment · censure
shame
Painful awareness of failure
- humiliationLoss of dignity
- dishonorLoss of respect
- disgraceLoss of honor
stigma · infamy · ignominy · disrepute · scandal · tarnish · fall · downfall · ruin · discredit
misconduct
Improper professional behavior
- abuseCruel or violent treatment
- cover-upHiding wrongdoing from public
- investigationFormal examination of facts
accusation · allegation · victim · testimony · whistleblower · exposure · revelation · confession · inquiry · verdict
ceremony
Formal event marking occasions
- riteCeremonial act or practice
- pronouncementFormal authoritative statement
- decreeAuthoritative legal command
- church disciplinecensure, rebuke, reprimand, admonition, formal warning
- church lawcanon law, church court, papal bull, papal bulls, papal decree
- church offensesheresy, apostasy, schism, blasphemy, sacrilege
- church penaltiesexcommunication, interdict, suspension, anathema, censure
- church scandalspriest abuse, cover-up, cover-ups, coverups, sexual misconduct
- religious penaltiesexcommunication, anathema, shunning, disfellowship, banishment
defrockingordination
Clergy appointment ceremony
ordaining · consecration · investiture · taking holy orders · holy orders
defrockingelevation
Height above reference point
installation · anointing · enthronement · restoration · reinstatement
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