Pius Dea
From Wookieepedia, the Star Wars wiki.
Pius Dea was a fanatic religious cult. In the centuries preceeding 12,000 BBY, the sect was growing in power. The group held the beliefs of anti-alien Humanocentrism and that followers of other religions were "unbelievers" and idolaters. They rejected the "idolatry" of their ancestors during the earlier millennia of the Galactic Republic.
Starting with Supreme Chancellor Contispex, Pius Dea ruled the Republic as a theocracy from 12,000– 11,000 BBY. These fanatic Supreme Chancellors sanctioned "crusades" against rival alien sects in the Rim. The fate of the cult after 11,000 BBY is unknown, but may have been ended violently.
[edit] Behind the scenes
Pius Dea is Latin for "Dutiful to the Goddess". It may be a play on the name of the conservative Catholic organization Opus Dei that is often the target of controversy and conspiracy literature. It is almost certainly not a coincidence that the Pope who approved the creation of Opus Dei was Pius XII. Additionally, a goddess known as Bona Dea was worshiped as the protectress of Rome.
