Editing Defrocking (section)

==Eastern Orthodoxy==
Certain [[Eastern Orthodox]] theologians believe that ordination to the priesthood does not confer an indelible character on the person's soul and that laicization could remove the ordained status completely.<ref>{{cite web|last=Scouteris|first=Prof. Constantine|title=Some Theological and Canonical Considerations (see sec. 8)|url=http://www.orthodoxresearchinstitute.org/articles/canon_law/scouteris_priesthood_unity.htm|publisher=Orthodox Research Institute|access-date=25 May 2012}}</ref>  From the time of laicization all actions of a former cleric that would have been considered sacred are normally considered invalid.

''Laicization'' of a cleric may come as a result of a request for removal from sacred orders, or as an ecclesiastical punishment. In the first case, very often, the cleric may ask to be laicized in order to enter a second [[marriage]] after the [[divorce]] or the death of his spouse. In this case, the man remains in good standing with the Church but is no longer a cleric. Laicization of a bishop can only be done by the convening of a [[Holy Synod]].

Forced laicization or removal from sacred orders is a form of ecclesiastical punishment, imposed by the ruling bishop of a cleric for certain transgressions.  According to the canonical procedure, if the cleric is found guilty of an infringement of a [[sacred vow]], unrepentant [[heresy]], breaking of [[canon law]] or ecclesiastical [[discipline]], he can be suspended from exercising all clerical functions.  If, disregarding his suspension, he continues to liturgize or does not repent of his actions, he may be permanently deposed from the sacred orders (in common parlance, "laicized"). Strictly speaking, the deposition can be appealed at the [[ecclesiastical court]], but, in modern practice, the bishop's decision is usually final.

Laicization as an ecclesiastical punishment may carry with it the [[excommunication]] of the former cleric from the church for a certain period, or indefinitely.  The [[anathema]], the permanent act of excommunication, against a member of the church or a former cleric is usually imposed by the decision of the synod of bishops or the ecclesiastical council. In such cases, this not only defrocks the former cleric but also banishes him from entering an [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Orthodox]] church, receiving the [[Eucharist]] and other [[sacraments]], and being blessed by a priest.