To remove cardinal status from someone, particularly removing someone from the rank of cardinal in the Catholic Church.
From 'de-' (remove) + 'cardinal' + '-ize' (make or become), referring specifically to the removal of ecclesiastical rank within the Catholic hierarchy.
The Catholic Church has rarely decardinalized anyone in modern history—it's an extremely serious punishment that reflects how powerful and permanent the rank of cardinal is supposed to be in Church hierarchy!
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