 In addition, the English had introduced Protestantism as the state religion in Ireland, whereas the majority of the population were Roman Catholic.This was an increasingly important proof of loyalty to the Dublin administration after the promulgation of Pope Pius V's papal bull "Regnans in Excelsis" in 1570, when the Papacy excommunicated Elizabeth and her officials.Fitzmaurice appealed to both of these sentiments, speaking only Irish, wearing Irish dress and also championing the cause of the counter-reformation.