papal regesta (Latin: regerere, to inscribe) The copies, generally entered by the papal chancery in special registry volumes, of papal correspondence and official documents, both ancient and modern. This custom probably antedates Constantine, and can be positively proved for the 4th century and onwards, althovgh nearly all the copies up to the end of the … Continue reading “papal regesta”
Papal Mint
Papal Mint The right to coin money being a sovereign prerogative, there can be no papal coins of earlier date than that of the temporal power of the popes. Nevertheless, there are coins of Pope Zacharias (741-52), of Gregory III (Ficoroni, “Museo Kircheriano”), and, possibly, of Gregory II (715-741). There is no doubt that these … Continue reading “Papal Mint”
papal letter
papal letter A publication or announcement of the pope, proceeding directly from him, or as is more frequently the case in modern times, issued by papal officials to whom such authority has been delegated. The first example apart from the Epistles of Saint Peter is that of Pope Clement I. Their use increased in proportion … Continue reading “papal letter”
papal infallibility
papal infallibility (Latin: in, not; fallere, to deceive) The preservation of the head of the Church of Christ from teaching error in matters of faith or morals. This preservation is due to the special assistance of the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of Truth, and is given in order that the faithful may be assured of … Continue reading “papal infallibility”
papal flag
papal flag The flag of the Vatican State, consisting of a ground of white and yellow divided vertically into equal parts. The white part bears the seal of the Vatican State consisting of the tiara, or triple crown, and cross-keys, with the inscription: “Stato della CittA del Vaticano.” Fuente: New Catholic Dictionary
Papal Elections
Papal Elections For current procedures regarding the election of the pope, see Pope John Paul II’s 1996 Apostolic Constitution UNIVERSI DOMINICI GREGIS. See also ELECTION OF THE POPES and CONCLAVE. The method of electing the pope has varied considerably at different periods of the history of the Church. As to the earliest ages, Ferraris (op. … Continue reading “Papal Elections”
papal diplomatics
papal diplomatics (Greek: diploma, an ancient writing; literally, paper twice folded) The science of ancient official documents; it arose during the Middle Ages in the necessity for safeguarding from forgery papal Bulls and other instruments. The procedure includes the study of the text of the document; manner of dating; signatures; attestations of witnesses; seals, and … Continue reading “papal diplomatics”
papal deposing power
papal deposing power The exercise of that papal right by which the sovereign pontiff authoritatively decides, from the spiritual standpoint, whether a ruler is so flagrantly in opposition to religion and morality as to entitle his subjects to be released from their allegiance to him. The popes’ use of this power is closely intertwined with … Continue reading “papal deposing power”
Papal Definition
Papal Definition (Latin: definire, to enclose within limits) A solemn and irrevocable decision emanating from the supreme teaching authority of the Church (the pope by his own authority or as presiding over an cumenical Council), concerning a matter of faith and morals, and made binding on all the faithful. The object of a definition may … Continue reading “Papal Definition”
papal constitution
papal constitution An important papal law or grant. Popes have long used Constitutions for dogmatic and disciplinary pronouncements. Since 1911 they have been using Constitutions for erecting or dividing dioceses . Constitutions are now sub plumbo letters, that is, have the older Bull form. Fuente: New Catholic Dictionary