The name of one of the first modern encyclopaedias to treat comprehensively in one work everything that had any connection with Catholic theology. Published in Germany, 1856, by Karl Herder who had safeguarded its production in the midst of ecclesiastico-political troubles from 1840, it is considered the outstanding achievement of his career as a publisher. The first successful attempt to unite all the Catholic German savants in the composition of one great work, it secured the noteworthy efforts of such men as Hergenrother, Hefele, Funk, church historian, Thalhofer, Wetzer, the orientalist, who named the completed work and edited it jointly with Canon Welte, the exegete, Drs. Kaulen, Abfalter, and Streber.
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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