Usquequodomine1958: Types of Papal Documents: From Encyclicals to Apostolic Letters

Saturday, 5 October 2024

Types of Papal Documents: From Encyclicals to Apostolic Letters

The Church is governed by the Roman Pontiff through papal acts such as laws, decrees, rescripts, and sentences. These documents are classified according to their content and form.

Regarding content, we have constitutions, motu proprios, litterae apostolicae, and epistolae pontificiae.

As for the form, we have bulls, briefs, letters, chirographs, allocutions, and oracles.

ACCORDING TO THEIR CONTENT

CONSTITUTION

Christus Dominus(Pius XII)
AAS-45(1953)

Papal constitutions are issued directly by the Roman Pontiff. These decrees address matters of doctrine or discipline, establish permanent norms on important issues, and are binding on all the faithful, as well as on specific groups or individuals. e.g., ineffabilis Deus (1854) proclaimed the dogma of the Immaculate Conception,andProvidentissima Mater Ecclesia (promulgated the Code of Canon Law of 1917).

MOTU PROPRIO

Sacrorum antistitum (S. Pius X)
AAS-02 (1910)

It is also issued by the pope. These documents address matters of discipline and establish laws on issues of lesser significance than a constitution. e.g., Cum juris canonici (created the Pontifical Committee to interpret the canons of the Code).

LITTERAE APOSTOLICAE

Maxima inter munera (Pius XII)
AAS-36 (1944)

As the Motu proprio, the Apostolic letters (litterae apostolicae) are executive acts that concern disciplinary matters. They are issued by the Congregations, as well as by the Roman Pontiff. These letters address issues such as canonisations, the creation of cardinals, the erection of new dioceses, etc.

EPISTOLAE PONTIFICIAE

Mediator Dei (Pius XII)
AAS-39 (1947)

These are used by the pope in his role of supreme teacher to explain sound doctrine, instruct, congratulate, etc. When addressed to the whole Church, they are called ENCYCLICALS; if addressed only to some individual, they are called epistolae or litterae pontificiae. Sometimes they are issued by congregations, and then they are called epistulae circulares.

ACCORDING TO THEIR FORM

BULL

It is a parchment document to which a leaden seal is affixed employing a silk cord. On one side of the seal appear the heads of Saints Peter and Paul, and on the other side the name of the reigning Pontiff. Bulls are the most formal of all papal documents in external ink. They are the vehicles of the Constitution.

BRIEF

A brief deals with matters of importance second only to bulls. It is also a parchment document, but the seal it bears is of red wax on which is impressed the image of Saint Peter pulling a net from the sea. Hence it is called the seal of the fisherman's ring.

LETTERS

These are documents that are addressed to specific individuals. They can be given by the Pope or by Congregations. They are written on plain paper and carry only an ink seal.

CHIROGRAPHS

It is a handwritten document by the pope, as the name suggests.

ALLOCUTIONS

Allocutions are formal speeches made by the Pope, usually in the presence of the Sacred College of Cardinals at the consistory. They often reveal the Holy See's policy on current political or social issues.

ORACLES

These are favours that the Pope grants orally to individuals in private audiences. They are not issued in writing.

THE ACTS OF THE ROMAN CURIA

The acts most proper to the Roman Curia are the decrees, instructions, declarations, decisions, resolutions, and sentences.

DECREES

A decree of the Holy Office
AAS-12 (1920)

Issued solely by a Congregation and constitutes an administrative, non-formal law.

INSTRUCTION

Instruction of a congregation
AAS-41(1949)

Instructions are also issued solely by a Congregation and constitute an administrative law, although it is more directive and less prescriptive than a decree.

DECISIONS AND RESOLUTIONS

Resolution- Sacred Congregation of Rites
AAS-01 (1909)

These interpret the law but result from disputes between two or more interested parties, the matter being summarily discussed in an extrajudicial manner before a congregation.

SENTENCES