Papist
From Free net encyclopedia
Papist is a term referring to "Roman Catholics". It was coined during the English Reformation to indicate one who believed in Papal primacy over all Christians. The word ultimately derives from Latin papa, meaning "Pope". "Popish" is an adjective used much in the same vein.
In contemporary speech, some hearers may take offense at it, but the word was in common use until the mid-nineteenth century; it occurs frequently in Macaulay's History of England from the Accession of James II, and in other historical or controversial works from that period. It is also a legal term that defines ineligibility for the throne under the current law of the United Kingdom. Under the Act of Settlement enacted in 1701 and still in force, no one who professes "the popish religion" or marries "a papist" may succeed to the throne of the United Kingdom. Roman Catholics were generally believed to be Anti-Protestant.
The word is still used by some politicians in the UK (particularly Northern Ireland), such as Ian Paisley.
A derivative pejorative term Apist is used to describe Anglo-Catholics who ape or copy the practices of the Roman Catholics.