Papal Encyclicals
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Church Documents
(From greatest to least importance)
Decree - Reserved for dogmatic definitions, beatifications, and canonizations
Apostolic Constitution - Issued in the name of the pope, these may contain defined dogma, but also address Canon Law and Ecclesial Form.
Encyclical - Doctrinal instruction issued to all the bishops, but directed to the universal Church in total.
Apostolic Letter - Typically issued in response to administrative concerns.
Declaration - Focused on Church Law, can be used to clarify, enshrine, or modify existing laws.
Motu Proprio - A decree issued by the sole discretion of the Holy Father, and not in consult with the bishops. The equivalent of an "Executive Order" in political parlance.
Apostolic Exhortation - Doctrine is not defined, but the people are spurred to action regarding the subject matter.
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An "Encylical" is a document written by the Pope, and addressed to all the bishops of the universal Church, who in turn instruct their flocks. In it, the Holy Father discusses a subject of particular importance to practice of the Catholic faith and observation of moral imperatives revealed by Christ, and incorporated into the Deposit of Faith. An encyclical may be an occasion to reiterate or strengthen a doctrine, make changes to (or retain) a discipline, or even extol the merits of a particular saint. Pope Francis, for example, has addressed three subjects in his encyclicals -- the Light of Faith, our common home, and the fraternity of all humans.
The first papal encyclicals were written by Saint Peter around 60 A.D. We know them as 1 Peter and 2 Peter in the New Testament.
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Links to Papal Encyclicals and Decrees
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