Created by Pope Clement IX, July 6, 1669. Pope Pius X united it to the Congregation of Rites, January 28, 1904. The congregation was established to do away with any chance of abuses in the matter of indulgences and sacred relics. It received the faculty of settling every difficulty which might arise regarding the relics of saints and indulgences, if such difficulty did not pertain to a dogma of faith. The congregation had the right and duty of correcting, without the form of trial, any abuses which might arise or be found concerning indulgences and relics, of forbidding the publication of false and indiscreet indulgences, of examining those already published, and, after submitting the case to the pope, of rejecting unworthy ones by his authority. It was to examine and verify newly-found relics, and also to exercise prudent moderation in granting indulgences and distributing relics.
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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