disestablishment

Disestablishment is the process by which a state ends the official establishment of a church, removing it from its status as the state church and reducing or eliminating privileges that accompany establishment. It typically involves legislative, constitutional, or judicial action and may accompany a broader move toward separation of church and state. Disestablishment can be complete, ending any formal church sponsorship, or partial, preserving some official roles or properties while removing other privileges.

Historically, disestablishment has occurred in several countries. In Ireland, the Church of Ireland was disestablished by the Irish Church Act 1869. In Wales, the Church in Wales was disestablished by the Welsh Church Act 1914, taking effect in 1920. In England, the Church of England remains an established church, though reform movements have sought disestablishment. In the United States, the federal framework prohibits an official state religion through the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, creating a form of de facto disestablishment; many states previously had established churches but shifted toward greater religious neutrality.

In modern usage, disestablishment is discussed in relation to ongoing church–state relations, tax treatment of religious organizations, education policies, and the allocation of public funds to religious institutions. Advocates of disestablishment typically argue that government should remain neutral toward religion, while opponents may emphasize tradition, social cohesion, or the preservation of established religious heritage. The term is often linked to broader debates about secularism, religious liberty, and the appropriate scope of state involvement with religious institutions.