1. to remove (a member of the clergy) from religious office or status; to reduce to lay status
Usage: transitive verb; formal, religious context
2. to make (something religious or sacred) secular or lay in character
Usage: transitive verb; formal

Examples

• The bishop decided to laicize the priest after he requested to leave the priesthood.
• The church voted to laicize several of its properties to fund community programs.
• Many countries laicized their education systems in the 19th century.
• He was laicized following his marriage, which was against church law at the time.
• The government sought to laicize public institutions and separate them from religious influence.
• After decades of service, the aging clergyman was laicized and returned to civilian life.