Interdict
An ecclesiastical penalty which bans a person or group of people from receiving the sacraments
Real World Example
During the Rise of Europe from 500-1300, an interdict was a powerful tool used by the Catholic Church to exert control over rulers and populations by denying them access to important religious practices like Communion and marriage ceremonies. This was crucial because religion played a central role in daily life, and being cut off from church sacraments could cause widespread fear and unrest. Interdicts were often used to pressure kings and nobles to comply with the Church’s demands or settle disputes. Today, while we may not experience religious interdiction in the same way, the concept is similar to modern forms of social or community exclusion, like being banned from a club or online group for not following rules. For example, if someone is removed from a sports team for unsportsmanlike behavior, it shows how exclusion can still be used to enforce community standards and encourage individuals to adhere to shared values.
