The term Inquisition can apply to any one of several institutions charged with trying and convicting heretics (or other offenders against canon law) within the justice-system of the Roman Catholic Church. It may also refer to:an ecclesiastical tribunalthe institution of the Roman Catholic Church for combating or suppressing heresya number of historical expurgation movements against heresy (orchestrated by some groups/individuals within the Catholic Church or within a Catholic state)the trial of an individual accused of heresy.