laicize

American  

[ley-uh-sahyz] / ˈleɪ əˌsaɪz /

especially British, laicise

verb (used with object)

laicized, laicizing

1. to remove the clerical character or nature of; secularize.

   to laicize a school; to laicize the office of headmaster.

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laicize British  

/ ˈleɪɪˌsaɪz /

verb

1. (tr) to withdraw clerical or ecclesiastical character or status from (an institution, building, etc)

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Other Word Forms

• laicization
  noun

Etymology

Origin of laicize

First recorded in 1790–1800; laic + -ize

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

laicize laicized laicizing

The Vatican can forcibly laicize priests, or defrock them, as a punishment for such crimes as clergy sexual abuse.

From Seattle Times ● Nov. 19, 2022

“If we laicize them or if we let them walk away … no one is watching them,” she said.

From Washington Times ● Oct. 4, 2019

After the Dallas Charter came a rush to laicize, resulting in more than 220 of the priests researched by the AP being laicized between 2004 and 2010.

From Washington Times ● Oct. 4, 2019

Sedlmayer’s suit was later dismissed, a move his attorney, Evan Goldman, said was mutually agreed to because the diocese threatened to laicize Sedlmayer if he didn’t agree.

From Washington Post ● Feb. 23, 2019

Only the other day the local authorities were instigated, I know not by whom—perhaps by the friends of M. Ferry at St.-Dié, which is not very far off—to "laicize" instruction in Domrémy.

From France and the Republic A Record of Things Seen and Learned in the French Provinces During the 'Centennial' Year 1889 by Hurlbert, William Henry

Hubbard said he wanted to be laicized, or returned to the lay state, because he could no longer function as a priest, given U.S. church policy that bars accused priests from ministry.

From Seattle Times ● Nov. 19, 2022

Twenty-two other priests whom the diocese has identified as having credible allegations made against them are either deceased, laicized, removed from public ministry or incarcerated.

From Washington Times ● Jul. 13, 2019

Sekielski, the director, has been taken aback by the response, which has included new investigations and at least one priest asking to be laicized.

From Fox News ● May 25, 2019

Priests who have been forcibly laicized and canon lawyers say laicization can elicit a wide range of reactions.

From Washington Post ● Feb. 16, 2019

The other laicized priest, Bishop Fernandez, was 42 when he became the bishop of Iquique.

From New York Times ● Oct. 13, 2018

Experts say diocesan legal officials like laicizing clerics because it relieves the organization of future liability.

From Washington Post ● Feb. 16, 2019