A letter containing an authoritative decision; a decision on a point of discipline; more strictly, a rescript or reply of the pope when he has been appealed to on a matter of discipline; certain collections of documents including pontifical decretals, e.g., "Liber Sextus Decretalium," compiled under Boniface VIII.
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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