Degradation
Bouvier's Law Dictionary and Concise Encyclopedia · John Bouvier; revised by Francis Rawle · 1914
Bouvier's Law Dictionary and Concise Encyclopedia
The act of depriving a priest of his orders or benefices or of both, either by word of mouth or by public reproach, and a solemn ceremony of stripping from the offender the vestments of his office. The mode of proceeding in the trial of clergymen is determined by canons in the various dioceses. The same term is applied to the loss, by a peer, of his rank as such, as when he is deprived thereof by act of parliament.
2 Steph. Com. 608.
Degradation must be distinguished from disqualification for bankruptcy, under stat.
34 & 35 Vict. c. 50.