Historically, the words popery and popish have been used as derogatory terms for Roman Catholicism and Roman Catholic, respectively. They were often used by Protestants to denote the idea that the Pope is a tyrant and his servants, Roman Catholics, worship him. They also refer to the culture of the Church, such as Baroque vestments and decoration that Protestants view as excessive and unwarrented by Scripture.

See also

• Papist
• Popish Plot
• Romanism