Editing Defrocking (section)

{{short description|Removal of clergy from ordained ministry}}

[[File:Deprivation_of_the_cloth_of_patriarch_Nikon.jpg | thumb | right | Defrocking of [[Patriarch Nikon of Moscow|patriarch Nikon]]]]
'''Defrocking''', '''unfrocking''', '''degradation''', or '''laicization''' of [[clergy]] is the removal of their rights to exercise the functions of the ordained ministry. It may be grounded on [[criminal conviction]]s, disciplinary problems, or disagreements over [[doctrine]] or [[dogma]], but may also be done at their request for personal reasons, such as running for civil office, taking over a family business, declining health or old age, desire to marry against the rules for clergy in a particular church, or an unresolved dispute. The form of the procedure varies according to the [[Christian denomination]] concerned.

The words "defrocking" or "unfrocking" refers to the ritual removal of the frock-like [[vestments]] of clergy and ministers. These rituals are generally no longer practiced and were sometimes separate from dismissals from ordained ministry, leading some to contend that modern use of "defrocking" is inaccurate.<ref>{{cite book|title=Our Sunday Visitor's Catholic Encyclopedia|last=Stravinskas|first=Peter M.J.|page=293|date=1991}}</ref> However, others maintain "defrocking" as a common synonym for laicization, one particularly popular in English.<ref>{{cite book|title=A Catholic Dictionary|last=Attwater|first=Donald|author-link=Donald Attwater|edition=3rd|publisher=[[Macmillan Company]]|date=1962|location=New York City|page=140, 505}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://theconversation.com/theodore-mccarrick-will-continue-to-be-a-catholic-priest-111964|title=Theodore McCarrick will continue to be a Catholic priest|work=The Conversation|date=20 February 2019|first=Mathew|last=Schmalz|access-date=18 December 2022}}</ref>