I don’t know the history of the term “defrock.” I think it’s a Protestant term.
Anyway, it is not used, in any context whatsoever, in the Catholic Church.
A Catholic priest can be SUSPENDED, which means he may not function or present himself as a priest. This is usually temporary, and is done to protect the Church and to wake up a wacko priest.
A Catholic priest can be LAICIZED. This means he is, juridically, a layman. He cannot celebrate the sacraments, present himself as a priest, or exercise liturgical ministries (such as acolyte, lector, or EMC), or teach certain subjects in Catholic institutions. (One exception: When a laicized priest encounters a person in danger of death, he may hear his confession and give absolution. And a person in danger of death may CHOOSE any priest to hear his confession. He may send the Pope out of the room, and go to confession to the laicized priest.)
Note to all reporters: The term “defrocked” is NEVER CORRECT in a story involving a Catholic priest.
Is it considered offensive? Or just inaccurate?
Laicized is a secular term not found in Canon Law.