These are largely legislative enactments, the former found in papal Constitutions, Apostolic letters, Apostolic epistles, and Motu Proprios; the latter in the decrees proper of the respective Congregations. The word decree is also used by the Church today in a non-legislative sense. Hence the Code on the one hand speaks of the decrees of general councils, of national and provincial councils, and even diocesan synods; on the other hand, of judicial and non-judicial decrees. Judicial decrees are all the rulings of an ecclesiastical court not comprised in incidental and final decisions. Non-judicial decrees vary from the regulations made in an episcopal visitation to the formal acts removing or transferring a pastor for the greater good of souls. The Roman Congregations, too, issue non-legislative decrees. For instance, the preliminary determinations in a process of canonization are made through decrees by the Congregations of Rites, the pope ratifying; so also are books condemned oy the Holy Office. But the Congregations now refrain from using the term decree when answering a query and designate the responses given either all dubia or declarationes.
This dictionary contains not only definitions and explanations of every subject in Religion, Scripture, tradition, doctrine, morals, sacraments, rites, customs, devotions and symbolism, but also accounts of the Church in every continent, country, diocese; missions, notable Catholic centers, cities, and places with religious names; religious orders, church societies, sects and false religions. It has brief articles also on historical events and personages, on the Old Testament and New, and on popes, prelates, priests, men and women of distinction, showing what the Church has done for civilization and correcting many errors which have hitherto passed for history.Wikipedia
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