unfrock

Former Oakland Bishop John Cummings has told The New York Times that in the 80s, the Holy See was reluctant to 'unfrock' pedophile priests, including Stephen Kiesle, found guilty of lewd conduct with two young boys in San Francisco in 1978.

timesofmalta.com 2010

Simply unfrock him, and take away his living altogether.

The Last Chronicle of Barset 2004

But not on that account do I wish to unfrock myself; nor certainly on that account do I wish to be deprived of my wife.

Dr. Wortle's school 2004

Roman Catholics to-day can restore the Pope to London and unfrock the

Gilbert Keith Chesterton Patrick Braybrooke

Foiled again, he laid the case before the Bishop of Worcester, and begged his lordship to unfrock Thomas Dancox.

The Argosy Vol. 51, No. 2, February, 1891 Various

It would have been a luxury to unfrock some of them, but it has seemed to me the duty of every sincere Republican to endure a great deal rather than say anything to introduce division or controversy into party ranks ....

A Political History of the State of New York, Volumes 1-3 DeAlva Stanwood Alexander

Cardinal Richelieu and Cardinal Mazarin almost had to unfrock themselves in order to become statesmen.

Charred Wood Francis Clement Kelley 1909

If I could put off the garb of my priesthood as readily as I put it on I would straightway unfrock myself here.

The Founders of the New Devotion: Being the Lives of Gerard Groote, Florentius Radewin and Their Followers. 1379?-1471 1905

'You cannot unfrock me for what I have done,' said Cargrim, evading a direct reply.

The Bishop's Secret Fergus Hume 1895

Yet, mine honest Friar, I think it would be best both for the church and thyself, that I should procure a license to unfrock thee, and retain thee as a yeoman of our guard, serving in care of our person, as formerly in attendance upon the altar of Saint Dunstan. ''

Ivanhoe 1892