The Catholic Relief Act refers to a series of laws passed in the United Kingdom during the 19th century aimed at easing restrictions on Catholics. The most significant of these was the Catholic Relief Act of 1829, which allowed Catholics to sit in Parliament and hold public office, marking a major step towards religious equality in Britain. Prior to this act, Catholics faced numerous legal limitations due to the Test Acts and other discriminatory laws. The passage of the Catholic Relief Act was influenced by changing social attitudes and the efforts of reformers, including figures like Daniel O'Connell, who advocated for Catholic rights and representation.