( also Catholic ) n
a member of the Christian Church that recognizes the Pope as its head. It was the established Church in Britain until the Reformation of the 16th century, when it was replaced by the Protestant Church of England and Church of Scotland . After this Roman Catholics were forbidden to hold public positions or receive university education. In the 19th century the Emancipation Act led to greater religious freedom, but Roman Catholics still cannot be appointed to some high positions in public life, including that of Lord Chancellor , and the king or queen may not practise the religion or marry a Catholic. The Catholic religion is the main religion in the Republic of Ireland, and there has been violent conflict between Protestants and Catholics in Northern Ireland. The Catholic Church in Britain is led by the archbishops of Westminster (1), Glasgow and Armagh .
► Catholic ( also Roman Catholic ) adj
► Catholicism ( also Roman Catholicism ) n [ U ].