What should you call a former Catholic priest?—UPDATED
December 6, 2013
By Deacon Greg Kandra
I get the most interesting e-mails.
After posting the news about Thomas Williams yesterday, I got this e-mail from Fr. Albert Cutié:
I dont think you should use the term former priest referring to someone who was ordained who received the sacrament of Holy Orders. It makes it sound like you dont believe in Sacramental Theology and that priesthood is reduced to a canonical function. I think we both know you cannot un-priest a priest or un-deacon a deacon.
Happy and blessed Advent!
In Christ,
Fr. Albert
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/deaconsbench/2013/12/what-should-you-call-former-catholic-priest/
A curious little discussion.
intaglio
(8,170 posts)The correct term is "defrocked priest" and the verb is "to defrock". As the term is so specific you could actually get away with using "the defrocked Thomas Williams."
How do I know? Because back in the 1950s and early 1960s the CofE went through a series of scandals (including child abuse) that were usually dealt with (according to the tabloids) with the priest being defrocked. As an inquisitive child the term stuck - if only because it was so amusing.
rug
(82,333 posts)and the canonical license to perform those duties, which is governed by Canon Law.
intaglio
(8,170 posts)1: to deprive (as a priest) of the right to exercise the functions of office
No Vested Interest
(5,167 posts)of the term in secular society, it would seem that another term would better describe the situation.
"Defrocked" could cause a little snickering, both among Catholics and others.
I wouldn't care if the term were "dispensed" or another - any other-, just not "defrocked."
rug
(82,333 posts)Laicized is the more precise term. That captures the loss of a clerical state rather than the loss of vestments.
Defrock is the precise English word for an ecclesiastical process and originally comes from the French défroquer.
Remember that the priest under discussion, Thomas Williams, was removed from holy orders; he did not resign. If he had resigned then, yes, he would have been laicized but that term also refers to those who have temporarily given up their vocation.
rug
(82,333 posts)Laicization can be voluntary or involuntary.
http://canonlawmadeeasy.com/2009/11/12/can-a-priest-ever-return-to-the-lay-state/
intaglio
(8,170 posts)défroquer = (Religion) Quitter ou vouloir quitter létat monastique ou létat ecclésiastique, en parlant dun religieux ou un ecclésiastique.
Hardly a hotbed of Anglicanism
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Sorry for the delayed reply, but my last one was at 4am after hunting our cat's last little "pressie"
rug
(82,333 posts)What's "pressie"? Did your cat kill an animal as a present?
I hate opening the door and seeing a nearly headless bird.
intaglio
(8,170 posts)Because we cannot hunt for ourselves
rustbeltvoice
(430 posts)The correct term is a "defrocked priest", but being so, it is considered "impolite". That is the trouble with accuracy, it is blunt, and people search for euphemisms.
rug
(82,333 posts)they would be referred to in hushed whispers as "spoiled priests".
Fortinbras Armstrong
(4,473 posts)If one resigns, then there should be a different term
IrishAyes
(6,151 posts)Glad it doesn't put me on the spot since I don't know anyone in that situation. What I dearly love to see is an older nun or priest determined to stay in the traces until they drop. That's devotion.
IrishAyes
(6,151 posts)rug
(82,333 posts)A sordid story all around.
Response to rug (Original post)
Name removed Message auto-removed
rug
(82,333 posts)He's in prison.
William769
(55,147 posts)Response to William769 (Reply #13)
uppityperson This message was self-deleted by its author.