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SECT, RELIGIOUS

An organized body of dissenters froman established or older form of faith, commonly applied to all religious bodies where State churches are established. In countries where many churches are recognized by law, sects are generally identified as religious groups that lack much organization or structure and that are not likely to endure. (Etym. Latin sequi, to follow, secta, a following.)

All items in this dictionary are from Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.

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