A rescript of the Apostolic See granting laicization often includes dispensation from which obligation?

• A. Celibacy
• B. Obedience
• C. Poverty
• D. Residence

Answer: (A)

Laicization changes a cleric’s status from ordained to lay, so the person is no longer bound by the obligations that come with the clerical state. The obligation of celibacy is the hallmark discipline tied specifically to clerics, and when the rescript grants laicization, the clearest and most common dispensation is from that obligation. This allows the former cleric to marry if he chooses, subject to ordinary civil and canonical considerations. Other obligations such as obedience, poverty, or residence are not uniformly tied to the laicized status in the same way, or are less central to the change in status, which is why celibacy is the typical dispensation invoked.