[Moose4]

So what does “expelling from the clerical state” mean? If he’s removed from office, he’s no longer a bishop but he’s still a priest and can perform priestly duties, but if he’s “expelled,” he’s a layperson? Is this like a double secret excommunication?

}:-)4

[Campion]

No, "removed from office" means he's still a bishop, can still exercise ministry as a bishop, but he isn't in charge of anything. (He's the "bishop of ..." nothing at all.)

"Expelled from the clerical state" means that, while he retains the charism of Holy Orders (which cannot be removed), he can't licitly exercise any clerical ministry in ordinary circumstances.

("in ordinary circumstances" -- even an ex-priest or ex-bishop "expelled from the clerical state" could hear the confession of a person in danger of death and validly absolve them. That would be an extraordinary circumstance.)