laicize
Remove from clergy
To laicize is to remove someone from clerical status, returning a priest, minister, or other religious official to lay (non-clergy) status.
The Catholic Church laicizes priests who violate church law or request release from their vows: He was laicized after the abuse allegations surfaced.
The process strips the person of rights and duties associated with ordination.
Also spelled laicise in British English.
Dismiss from religious office
- defrockRemove clerical status
- disrobeRemove worn garments
- deposeRemove from authority
- dismissSend away or reject
remove · suspend · expel · excommunicate · revoke · terminate · disqualify · strip
Remove sacred designation
- unhallowMake no longer sacred
- disestablishWithdraw official status from
- disendowStrip of endowment
- profaneIrreverent toward the sacred
worldly · temporal · disaffiliate · secular · church-state separation · desanctify · civil · nonreligious
Make less complex
- clarifyMake something understandable
- explainMake something understood
- elucidateTo make understood
- interpretExtract or convey meaning
decode · translate · popularize · democratize · enlighten · illuminate · unveil · unravel
unfrock
Dismiss from religious office
dismiss · remove · suspend · expel · excommunicate · revoke · terminate · disqualify · strip · oust
deconsecrate
Remove sacred designation
- unhallowMake no longer sacred
- disestablishWithdraw official status from
- disendowStrip of endowment
profane · worldly · temporal · disaffiliate · secular · church-state separation · desanctify · civil · nonreligious
simplify
Make less complex
interpret · decode · translate · popularize · democratize · enlighten · illuminate · unveil · unravel · inform
laicizeordain
Confer clerical authority
ordination · consecrate · take holy orders · invest · induct