Dennis, good point.  Perhaps there is a canonist around? If once a priest, always a priest, why not refer to individual as "inactive priest?" And not stigmatize laity by referring to being reduced, returned to laity? Or, remove myth of once, always!  I wonder if CL thought through this nonsense.  The number of priests who have left since VII is unprecedented in annals of RCC. And never anticipated a priest shortage crisis.
Widowed priests easier to restore when spouse is promoted. I know of case, however, where priest left, married, reduced to lay state, divorced, & upgraded to priest again! 
"The bishop is canon law in his own diocese" and has some clout to interpret CL widely.