What should you call a former Catholic priest?—UPDATED

[rug]

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:

Deacon:

I don’t 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 don’t 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]

1. Unfortunately you cannot reply direct to the post

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]

3. One of the emails makes a distinction between the sacrament of Holy Orders, which is permanent,

and the canonical license to perform those duties, which is governed by Canon Law.

Probably more correct would be “dispensed priest” or, perhaps better, a “priest dispensed from obligations of ordination.”

[intaglio]

5. Sorry, rug but "defrock" is precisely the right term

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/defrock

: to officially remove (a priest) from his or her job as punishment for doing something wrong
1: to deprive (as a priest) of the right to exercise the functions of office

and it dates to 1581

[No Vested Interest]

7. " Defrocked" may be the most correct term, but, in view of modern usage

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]

9. "Defrocked" is a colloquialism, probably more associated with Anglicanism.

Laicized is the more precise term. That captures the loss of a clerical state rather than the loss of vestments.

[intaglio]

15. Nope

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]

16. As I said, the term more apt for Anglicanism.

Laicization can be voluntary or involuntary.

http://canonlawmadeeasy.com/2009/11/12/can-a-priest-ever-return-to-the-lay-state/

[intaglio]

17. Unless you are French

défroquer = (Religion) Quitter ou vouloir quitter l’état monastique ou l’état ecclésiastique, en parlant d’un religieux ou un ecclésiastique.

Hardly a hotbed of Anglicanism


++++++++++++++++++++

Sorry for the delayed reply, but my last one was at 4am after hunting our cat's last little "pressie"

[rug]

19. Well, I am 1/8 French. None of my ancestors were Gallicans though, to the best of my knowledge.

What's "pressie"? Did your cat kill an animal as a present?

I hate opening the door and seeing a nearly headless bird.

[intaglio]

20. Yes that sort of present

Because we cannot hunt for ourselves

[rustbeltvoice]

2. The correct term is a "defrocked priest".

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]

4. Decades ago, when these things happened less frequently, or were publicized less frequently,

they would be referred to in hushed whispers as "spoiled priests".

[Fortinbras Armstrong]

18. "Defrocked" has connotations of "he was kicked out of the priesthood"

If one resigns, then there should be a different term

[IrishAyes]

6. Interesting question.

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]

8. Did you post about Thomas Williams in another forum yesterday? I don't see it in here.

[rug]

10. No, I think there was a thread in GD about it.

A sordid story all around.

[rug]

12. So do I.

He's in prison.

[William769]

13. I knew a former frank. He loved to eat pizza!