laico

Laico is a term used in several Romance languages, notably Spanish and Portuguese, meaning non-clerical or secular. It derives from Latin laicus and Greek laikos, literally “of the people,” and is used to distinguish non-ordained members of a religious community from clergy. In religious contexts, a laico (plural laicos) is a lay person, i.e., someone who participates in religious life without being ordained as a priest, monk, or nun. The feminine form is laica.

In Catholic and other Christian settings, laico denotes someone who remains part of the faith community while not taking religious vows or holding ecclesiastical office. Laicos can participate in worship, teach, or engage in parish activities, and may pursue roles such as lay ministry or lay apostolate, depending on local practice. The concept also appears in secular usage, where laico describes a person or institution that is not religiously affiliated or that advocates church‑state separation.

In governance and politics, laico is used to describe a secular state or a system that separates church and state, emphasizing neutrality toward religious institutions in public affairs. This usage is common in discussions of laicidad or secularism.

Cross-linguistically, related terms include layperson (English), laïcs in French, and secular or secularism in various languages. The term contrasts with clergy, religious vows, and ecclesiastical authority, and is often paired with discussions of church–state relations, religious education, and lay participation in religious communities.