This term is used to describe what happens to a clergyman who violates the
Church canons or his office. He loses all authority to act in any manner as a
deacon, priest or bishop. The canons also state that anyone who prays with a deposed
clergyman, he shall be deposed to (C. XI of the 85c.).
Not any group may depose a clergyman. The Synod of the Church the bishop was
a member of or consecrated by (or for) may deposed a bishop. The bishop may
depose a priest or deacon under him.
If clergy walk away from the Church they were associated with that Church
may act against those individuals according to the canons
This term is used to indicate what occurs when a person, clergy or layman,
violates the canons and teachings of the Church. This action separates the
individual from the body of Christ (the Church) for a specific time or
permanently. C. X of the 85c. states that anyone who prays in company with one
who has been excommunicated shall be excommunicated himself.
Many claim that a tribunal or hearing must be held. In many cases today
clergy will walk away from the Church that ordained them and go off and start
an independent church while claiming to have the ines of Apostolic Succession
from another church. They may have the lines, but they lose all authority when
they leave. A bishops authority comes from the Church and a priests authority
comes from his bishop.
Such former clergy would not appear at any tribunal or hearing charging them
with an act against the Church, Clergy, Canons, Scriptures, etc. There are
canons that direct the action to be taken, without a tribunal, when former
clergy violate the canons and that can be issued without a tribunal when such
individuals leave without the letters required by the Canons.
All sacramental authority is lost when one is deposed or excommunicated.