What was the purpose of an interdict?

An interdict was a Roman Catholic ecclesiastical censure that suspended or restricted the public performance of sacraments and religious services in a particular area or for specific individuals. Its primary purpose was to exert moral and political pressure, often used as a tool by the Church to influence secular rulers or to punish communities for perceived wrongdoing. By imposing an interdict, the Church aimed to encourage repentance and compliance with its authority, as the denial of sacraments was a significant concern for the faithful.