Holy Office

noun

, Roman Catholic Church.

1. a congregation founded in 1542 to succeed the suppressed Inquisition and entrusted with matters pertaining to faith and morals, as the judgment of heresy, the application of canonical punishment, and the examination of books and prohibition of those held dangerous to faith and morals.

Holy Office

noun

1. RC Church a congregation established in 1542 as the final court of appeal in heresy trials; it now deals with matters of doctrine

Word History and Origins

Origin of Holy Office¹

First recorded in 1720–30

Example Sentences

Four masked men walked first in the procession, two carrying spades, and two bearing the insignia of the Holy Office.

From Project Gutenberg

The commissary of the Holy Office in Manila always belongs to this province.

From Project Gutenberg

Was it not to profane the house of God and the holy office, to drag the struggle and strife of the day into it?

From Project Gutenberg

At all hours and in all weathers he is ready to perform this holy office.

From Project Gutenberg

“They must come to the Holy Office, to answer certain questions,” answered the speaker.

From Project Gutenberg