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Apostolic Constitution

 

Document of the highest authority, issued by the Pope, or by a Church Council with the Pope’s approval. Apostolic constitutions today have the authority of the ancient apostolic constitutions, a collection of laws from the late fourth century, which included 85 canons attributed to the Apostles dealing with ordinations, official responsibilities, and the moral behavior of bishops and priests. They eventually became the basis for canon law in the West.

When used to proclaim a Church dogma, called a Dogmatic Constitution. When used for pastoral teaching, called a Pastoral Constitution.

Vatican documents include, in descending order of formal authority: apostolic constitution, encyclical letter, encyclical epistle, apostolic exhortation, apostolic letter, letter and message. Also see bull.

 

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