Interdict

An Interdict usually refers to an order from a Pope which declares a country without religious support by the Catholic Church. It suspends all public worship and withdraws the church's sacraments. An interdict issued against a country was to it the equivalent of issuance of excommunication against an individual. An interdict would cause all the churches to be closed, and almost all the sacraments not to be allowed (ie preventing marriage, confession, extreme unction, the eucharist). An interdict against a country would often cause the citizens of that country to demand the government fix whatever caused the interdiction, or in some cases to rebel and overthrow the government.

An Interdict can also refer to a type of shield or military defense against attack.