Dispensation from Irregularities for ordination

[Simplyasking]

Hello all,
I’ve been reading a lot of canon law and would like to ask about an occurance that I imagine may be more common that one would think.

If someone who is catholic converts to another religion and was kept private, repents and is back in the Church, would they need the Bishop to dispense an irregularity if they sought ordination? And if dispensed, does it prevent him from advancing higher than priesthood?

Many thanks,
SimplyAsking

 

[Xanthippe_Voorhees]

Private conversions are only for the direst of circumstances when death would likely result otherwise.

The priesthood is a very public office–though I suppose there may be exceptions if the danger has passed or perhaps for a secluded monastery.