Difference between revisions of "Papal bull" - New World Encyclopedia

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{{Images OK}}{{Claimed}}
 
{{Images OK}}{{Claimed}}
 
A '''Papal bull''' is a special kind of [[letters patent|patent]] or charter issued by a [[pope]]. It is named after the seal (''bulla'') that is appended to the end to authenticate it.
 
A '''Papal bull''' is a special kind of [[letters patent|patent]] or charter issued by a [[pope]]. It is named after the seal (''bulla'') that is appended to the end to authenticate it.
−
[[Image:papal.bull.JPG|thumb|right|300px|Papal bull of [[Pope Urban VIII]], 1637, sealed with a leaden '''bulla'''.]]Papal bulls were originally issued by popes for various reasons of public communication, but after the fifteenth century CE, they were only issued for the most formal or solemn of occasions. Modern scholars have retroactively used the term "bull" to describe any elaborate papal document issued in the form of a decree or privilege (solemn or simple), and to some less elaborate ones issued in the form of a letter. Popularly, the name is used for any papal document that contains a metal seal. Traditionally, papal bulls always used to bear a metal seal but now they only do so on the most solemn occasions.  It is today the most formal type of patent issued by the [[Vatican]] Chancery in the name of the pope.
+
[[Image:papal.bull.JPG|thumb|right|300px|Papal bull of [[Pope Urban VIII]], 1637, sealed with a leaden '''bulla'''.]]Papal bulls were originally issued by popes for various reasons of public communication, but after the fifteenth century CE, they were only issued for the most formal or solemn of occasions. Modern scholars have retroactively used the term "bull" to describe any elaborate papal document issued in the form of a decree or privilege (solemn or simple), including some papal letters. Traditionally, papal bulls always used to bear a metal seal although today bulls only do so on the most solemn of occasions.  
  
 +
==History==
 
Papal bulls have been in use at least since the sixth century CE, but the term was not used until around the middle of the thirteenth century CE and then only for internal un-official papal record keeping purposes; the term became official in the fifteenth century, when one of the offices of the Papal chancery was named the "register of bulls" (''registrum bullarum'').
 
Papal bulls have been in use at least since the sixth century CE, but the term was not used until around the middle of the thirteenth century CE and then only for internal un-official papal record keeping purposes; the term became official in the fifteenth century, when one of the offices of the Papal chancery was named the "register of bulls" (''registrum bullarum'').
−
 
−
Today, the bull is the only written communication in which the pope will refer to himself as ''episcopus servus servorum Dei'', meaning "Bishop, Servant of the Servants of God."  For instance, [[Pope Benedict XVI|Benedict XVI]], when he issues a decree in bull form, will begin the document with ''Benedictus, Episcopus, Servus Servorum Dei''.
 
  
 
Original papal bulls exist in quantity only after the eleventh century onward when the transition from fragile [[papyrus]] to the more durable [[parchment]] was made. None survives in entirety from before 819 C.E.. Some original leaden seals, however, still survive from as early as the 6th century.
 
Original papal bulls exist in quantity only after the eleventh century onward when the transition from fragile [[papyrus]] to the more durable [[parchment]] was made. None survives in entirety from before 819 C.E.. Some original leaden seals, however, still survive from as early as the 6th century.
  
 
==The "bulla" (seal) ==
 
==The "bulla" (seal) ==
−
The most distinctive characteristic of a bull was its metal seal, which was usually made of [[lead]], but on very solemn occasions was made of [[gold]] (as Byzantine imperial deeds often were). It depicted the founders of the Church of Rome, the [[apostle]]s [[Saint Peter|Peter]] and [[Paul of Tarsus|Paul]], identified by the letters '''S'''anctus '''PA'''ulus and '''S'''anctus '''PE'''trus. The name of the issuing pope is on the reverse side. This was then attached to the document either by cords of [[hemp]] (in the case of letters of justice, and executory) or by red and yellow [[silk]] (in the case of letters of grace) that was looped through slits in the [[vellum]] of the document. ''Bulla'' is the name of this seal, which to ancient observers looked like a bubble floating on water: Latin ''bullire'', "to boil".
+
The most distinctive characteristic of a bull was its metal seal, which was usually made of [[lead]], but on very solemn occasions was made of [[gold]] (as Byzantine imperial deeds often were). The "bulla" depicted the founders of the Church of Rome, the [[apostle]]s [[Saint Peter|Peter]] and [[Paul of Tarsus|Paul]], identified by the letters '''S'''anctus '''PA'''ulus and '''S'''anctus '''PE'''trus. The name of the issuing pope was usually on the reverse side. The seal was then attached to the document either by cords of [[hemp]] (in the case of letters of justice, and executory) or by red and yellow [[silk]] (in the case of letters of grace), which was looped through slits in the [[vellum]] of the document. ''Bulla'' is the name of this seal, which to ancient observers looked like a bubble floating on water: Latin ''bullire'', "to boil."  
 
   
 
   
 
Since the late eighteenth century CE, the lead bulla has been replaced with a red ink stamp of Saints Peter and Paul with the reigning pope's name encircling the picture.
 
Since the late eighteenth century CE, the lead bulla has been replaced with a red ink stamp of Saints Peter and Paul with the reigning pope's name encircling the picture.
−
 
  
 
==Format, Style and Content==
 
==Format, Style and Content==
  
 
A Papal bull traditionally began with a Latin sentence containing three elements: the pope's name, the papal title ''episcopus servus servorum Dei,'' meaning 'bishop, servant of the servants of God', and the few Latin words that constituted the incipit from which the bull would also take its name for record keeping purposes, but which might not be directly indicative of the bull's purpose.
 
A Papal bull traditionally began with a Latin sentence containing three elements: the pope's name, the papal title ''episcopus servus servorum Dei,'' meaning 'bishop, servant of the servants of God', and the few Latin words that constituted the incipit from which the bull would also take its name for record keeping purposes, but which might not be directly indicative of the bull's purpose.
 +
 +
The bull is the only written communication in which the pope refers to himself as ''episcopus servus servorum Dei'', meaning "Bishop, Servant of the Servants of God" (e.g. [[Pope Benedict XVI|Benedict XVI]], when he issues a decree in bull form, will begin the document with ''Benedictus, Episcopus, Servus Servorum Dei'').
 
   
 
   
−
The body of the text had no specific conventions for its formatting; it was often very simple in layout. The closing section consisted of a short ''datum'', mentioning the place it was issued, the day of the month and the year of the pope's pontificate and signatures, near which was attached the seal.
+
Apart from the above, the body of the text had no specific conventions for its formatting; it was often very simple in layout. The closing section consisted of a short ''datum'', mentioning the place it was issued, the day of the month and the year of the pope's pontificate and signatures, near which was attached the seal.
  
 
For the most solemn bulls, the pope would sign the document himself, in which case he used the formula ''Ego N. Catholicae Ecclesiae Episcopus'' (I, N., Bishop of the Catholic Church). Following the signature in this case would be an elaborate monogram, the signatures of any witnesses, and then the seal. Nowadays, a member of the Roman Curia signs the document on behalf of the Pope, usually the Cardinal Secretary of State, and thus the monogram is omitted.
 
For the most solemn bulls, the pope would sign the document himself, in which case he used the formula ''Ego N. Catholicae Ecclesiae Episcopus'' (I, N., Bishop of the Catholic Church). Following the signature in this case would be an elaborate monogram, the signatures of any witnesses, and then the seal. Nowadays, a member of the Roman Curia signs the document on behalf of the Pope, usually the Cardinal Secretary of State, and thus the monogram is omitted.
  
 
In terms of content, the bull is simply the format in which a decree of the pope appears.  Any subject may be treated in a bull such as statutory decrees, episcopal appointments, dispensations, [[excommunication]]s, apostolic constitutions, [[canonization]]s and [[convocation]]s. The bull was the exclusive letter format from the Vatican until the fourteenth century, when the Papal brief began to appear. The Papal brief is the less formal form of papal communication and is authenticated with a wax impression (now a red ink impression) of the Ring of the Fisherman.  There has never been an exact distinction of usage between a bull and a brief, but nowadays most letters, including [[Papal encyclical]]s, are issued as briefs.
 
In terms of content, the bull is simply the format in which a decree of the pope appears.  Any subject may be treated in a bull such as statutory decrees, episcopal appointments, dispensations, [[excommunication]]s, apostolic constitutions, [[canonization]]s and [[convocation]]s. The bull was the exclusive letter format from the Vatican until the fourteenth century, when the Papal brief began to appear. The Papal brief is the less formal form of papal communication and is authenticated with a wax impression (now a red ink impression) of the Ring of the Fisherman.  There has never been an exact distinction of usage between a bull and a brief, but nowadays most letters, including [[Papal encyclical]]s, are issued as briefs.
 +
 +
==Some Papal Bulls==
 +
The following list provides a sample of some Papal bulls by the year in which they were issued (the list is not exhaustive):
 +
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%;"
 +
!Year
 +
!Bull
 +
!Issuer
 +
!Description
 +
|-
 +
|1079
 +
|[[Libertas ecclesiae]]
 +
|[[Pope Gregory VII|Gregory VII]]
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
|1079
 +
|[[Antiqua sanctorum patrum]]
 +
|[[Pope Gregory VII|Gregory VII]]
 +
|Granted the church of Lyon primacy over the churches of Gaul
 +
|-
 +
|c. 1120
 +
|[[Sicut Judaeis]]
 +
|[[Pope Callixtus II|Callixtus II]]
 +
|Provides protection for the Jews who suffered from the hands of the participants in the [[First Crusade]].
 +
|-
 +
|1136 (July 7)
 +
|[[Ex commisso nobis]]
 +
|[[Pope Innocent II|Innocent II]]
 +
|[[Bull of Gniezno]]
 +
|-
 +
|1139 (March 29)
 +
|[[Omne Datum Optimum]]
 +
|[[Pope Innocent II|Innocent II]]
 +
|Endorses the [[Knights Templar]].
 +
|-
 +
|1144
 +
|[[Milites Templi]] ("Soldiers of the Temple")
 +
|[[Pope Celestine II|Celestine II]]
 +
|Provides clergy protection to the [[Knights Templar]] and encourages contributions to their cause.
 +
|-
 +
|1145
 +
|[[Militia Dei]] ("Soldiers of God")
 +
|[[Pope Eugene III|Eugene III]]
 +
|Allows the [[Knights Templar]] to take tithes and burial fees and to bury their dead in their own cemeteries.
 +
|-
 +
|1145 (December 1)
 +
|[[Quantum praedecessores]]
 +
|[[Pope Eugene III|Eugene III]]
 +
|Calls for the [[Second Crusade]].
 +
|-
 +
|1155
 +
|[[Laudabiliter]]
 +
|[[Pope Adrian IV|Adrian IV]]
 +
|Gives the English King [[Henry II of England|Henry II]] lordship over [[Ireland]].
 +
|-
 +
|1184
 +
|[[Ad Abolendam]]
 +
|[[Pope Lucius III|Lucius III]]
 +
|Condemns heresy, and lists some punishments (though stops short of death).
 +
|-
 +
|1185
 +
|[[Post Miserabile]]
 +
|[[Pope Innocent III|Innocent III]]
 +
|Calls for a Crusade.
 +
|-
 +
|1187 (October 29)
 +
|[[Audita tremendi]]
 +
|[[Pope Gregory VIII|Gregory VIII]]
 +
|Calls for the [[Third Crusade]].
 +
|-
 +
|1192
 +
|[[Cum universi]]
 +
|[[Pope Celestine III|Celestine III]]
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
|1199 (February 19)
 +
|
 +
|[[Pope Innocent III|Innocent III]]
 +
|Assigns the uniform of a white tunic with a black cross to the [[Teutonic Knights]].
 +
|-
 +
|1205
 +
|[[Etsi non displaceat]]
 +
|[[Pope Innocent III|Innocent III]]
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
|1213
 +
|[[Quia maior]]
 +
|[[Pope Innocent III|Innocent III]]
 +
|Calls for the [[Fifth Crusade]].
 +
|-
 +
|1216 (December)
 +
|[[Religiosam vitam]]
 +
|[[Pope Honorius III|Honorius III]]
 +
| Established the [[Dominican Order]]
 +
|-
 +
|1218
 +
|[[In generali concilio]]
 +
|[[Pope Honorius III|Honorius III]]
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
|1219
 +
|[[Super speculam]]
 +
|[[Pope Honorius III|Honorius III]]
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
|1223 (November 29)
 +
|[[Solet annuere]]
 +
|[[Pope Honorius III|Honorius III]]
 +
|Approves the [[Rule of St. Francis]].
 +
|-
 +
|1231 (April 13)
 +
|[[Parens scientarum]] ("The Mother of Sciences")
 +
|[[Pope Gregory IX|Gregory IX]]
 +
|Guarantees the independence of the [[University of Paris]].
 +
|-
 +
|1232 (February 8)
 +
|[[Ille humani generis]]
 +
|[[Pope Gregory IX|Gregory IX]]
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
|1233
 +
|[[Etsi Judaeorum]]
 +
|[[Pope Gregory IX|Gregory IX]]
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
|1233
 +
|[[Licet ad capiendos]]
 +
|[[Pope Gregory IX|Gregory IX]]
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
|1239
 +
|[[Si vera sunt]]
 +
|[[Pope Gregory IX|Gregory IX]]
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
|1247
 +
|[[Lachrymabilem Judaeorum]]
 +
|[[Pope Innocent IV|Innocent IV]]
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
|1252 (May 15)
 +
|[[Ad exstirpanda]]
 +
|[[Pope Innocent IV|Innocent IV]]
 +
|Authorizes the use of torture for eliciting confessions from heretics during the [[Inquisition]] and executing relapsed heretics by burning them alive.
 +
|-
 +
|1254 (October 6)
 +
|[[Querentes in agro]]
 +
|[[Pope Innocent IV|Innocent IV]]
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
|1267
 +
|[[Turbato corde]]
 +
|[[Pope Clement IV|Clement IV]]
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
|1274
 +
|[[Ubi Periculum]]
 +
|[[Pope Gregory X|Gregory X]]
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
|1296 (February 25)
 +
|[[Clericis Laicos]]
 +
|[[Pope Boniface VIII|Boniface VIII]]
 +
|Excommunicates all members of the clergy who, without autorization from the Holy See, pay to laymen any part of their income or the revenue of the Church, and all rulers who receive such payments.
 +
|-
 +
|1299
 +
|De Sepulturis
 +
|[[Pope Boniface VIII|Boniface VIII]]
 +
|Prohibits the dismembering and boiling of the bodies so that the bones, separated from the flesh, may be carried for burial in their own countries.
 +
|-
 +
|1302 (November 18)
 +
|Unam Sanctam ("The One Holy")
 +
|[[Pope Boniface VIII|Boniface VIII]]
 +
|Declares that there is no salvation outside the Church ([[Extra Ecclesiam nulla salus]]), and that the Church must remain united.
 +
|-
 +
|1307 (November 22)
 +
|Pastoralis praeminentiæ
 +
|[[Pope Clement V|Clement V]]
 +
|Orders the arrest of the [[Knights Templar]] and the confiscation of their possessions.
 +
|-
 +
|1308
 +
|Fasciens misericordiam
 +
|[[Pope Clement V|Clement V]]
 +
|Sets out the procedure to prosecute the [[Knights Templar]].
 +
|-
 +
|1308
 +
|Regnans in coelis]]
 +
|[[Pope Clement V|Clement V]]
 +
|Convenes the [[Council of Vienne]] to discuss the [[Knights Templar]].
 +
|-
 +
|1312 (March 22)
 +
|Vox in excelso
 +
|[[Pope Clement V|Clement V]]
 +
|Disbands the [[Knights Templar]].
 +
|-
 +
|1312 (May 2)
 +
|Ad providam
 +
|[[Pope Clement V|Clement V]]
 +
|Grants the bulk of Templar property on to the [[Knights Hospitallers]].
 +
|-
 +
|1312 (May 6)
 +
|Considerantes dudum
 +
|[[Pope Clement V|Clement V]]
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
|1312 (May 16)
 +
|Nuper in concilio
 +
|[[Pope Clement V|Clement V]]
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
|1312 (December 18)
 +
|Licet dudum
 +
|[[Pope Clement V|Clement V]]
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
|1312 (December 31)
 +
|Dudum in generali concilio
 +
|[[Pope Clement V|Clement V]]
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
|1313 (January 13)
 +
|Licet pridem
 +
|[[Pope Clement V|Clement V]]
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
|1317
 +
|Sane Considerante
 +
|[[Pope John XXII|John XXII]]
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
|1323
 +
|Cum inter nonnullos
 +
|[[Pope John XXI|John XXI]]
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
|1425
 +
|
 +
|[[Pope Martin V|Martin V]]
 +
|Foundation of the [[Université Catholique de Louvain]]
 +
|-
 +
|1439 (July 6)
 +
|Laetantur Coeli
 +
|[[Pope Eugene IV|Eugene IV]]
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
|1452 (June 18)
 +
|Dum diversas
 +
|[[Pope Nicholas V|Nicholas V]]
 +
|Authorises [[Afonso V of Portugal]] to reduce any Muslims, pagans other unbelievers to perpetual slavery.
 +
|-
 +
|1455 (January 5)
 +
|Romanus Pontifex
 +
|[[Pope Nicholas V|Nicholas V]]
 +
|Sanctifies the seizure of non-Christian lands discovered during the ''[[Age of Discovery]]'' and encourages the enslavement of natives.
 +
|-
 +
|1470 (April 19)
 +
|Ineffabilis providentia
 +
|[[Pope Paul II|Paul II]]
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
|1478 (November 1)
 +
|Exigit sinceræ devotionis
 +
|[[Pope Sixtus IV|Sixtus IV]]
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
|1481 (June 21)
 +
|Aeterni regis
 +
|[[Pope Sixtus IV|Sixtus IV]]
 +
|Confirms the Treaty of Alcáçovas.
 +
|-
 +
|1484 (December 5)
 +
|Summis desiderantes
 +
|[[Pope Innocent VIII|Innocent VIII]]
 +
|Condemns an alleged outbreak of witchcraft and heresy in the region of the Rhine River valley, and deputizes Heinrich Kramer and Jacob Sprenger as inquisitors to root out alleged witchcraft in Germany.
 +
|-
 +
|1493 (May 4)
 +
|Inter caetera
 +
|[[Pope Alexander VI|Alexander VI]]
 +
|Divides the [[New World]] between [[Spain]] and [[Portugal]].
 +
|-
 +
|1493 (June 25)
 +
|Piis Fidelium
 +
|[[Pope Alexander VI|Alexander VI]]
 +
|Grants [[Spain]] vicarial power to appoint [[missionary|missionaries]] to the Indies.
 +
<!--
 +
|-
 +
|1497 (October 15)
 +
|Ad sacram ordinis
 +
|
 +
|
 +
—>
 +
|-
 +
|1513 (December 19)
 +
|Apostolici Regiminis
 +
|[[Pope Leo X|Leo X]]
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
|1514
 +
|Supernæ
 +
|[[Pope Leo X|Leo X]]
 +
|Declares that the cardinals in a body should come immediately after the pope and precede all others in the church.
 +
|-
 +
|1520 (June 15)
 +
|Exsurge Domine ("Arise, O Lord")
 +
|[[Pope Leo X|Leo X]]
 +
|Demands that [[Martin Luther]] retract 41 of his [[95 theses]], as well as other specified errors, within sixty days of its publication in neighbouring regions to Saxony.
 +
|-
 +
|1521 (January 3)
 +
|Decet Romanum Pontificem ("[It] befits [the] Roman Pontiff")
 +
|[[Pope Leo X|Leo X]]
 +
|Excommunicates [[Martin Luther]].
 +
|-
 +
|1537 (May 29)
 +
|Sublimus Dei
 +
|[[Pope Paul III|Paul III]]
 +
|Forbids the enslavement of the [[indigenous peoples of the Americas]].
 +
|-
 +
|1540 (September 27)
 +
|[[Regimini militantis ecclesiae]] ("To the Government of the Church Militant")
 +
|[[Pope Paul III|Paul III]]
 +
|Approves the formation of the [[Society of Jesus]].
 +
|-
 +
|1543 (March 14)
 +
|Injunctum nobis
 +
|[[Pope Paul III|Paul III]]
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
|1550 (July 21)
 +
|Exposcit debitum ("The Duty demands")
 +
|[[Pope Julius III|Julius III]]
 +
|Second and final approval of the [[Society of Jesus]]
 +
|-
 +
|1555 (July 14)
 +
|Cum nimis absurdum ("Since it is absurd")
 +
|[[Pope Paul IV|Paul IV]]
 +
|Places religious and economic restrictions on Jews in the [[Papal States]].
 +
|-
 +
|1559 (February 15)
 +
|Cum ex apostolatus officio
 +
|[[Pope Paul IV|Paul IV]]
 +
|Confirms that only Catholics can be elected Popes.
 +
|-
 +
|1565 (January 17)
 +
|Æquum reputamus
 +
|[[Pope Pius V|Pius V]]
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
|1570 (February 25)
 +
|Regnans in Excelsis ("Ruling from on high)
 +
|[[Pope Pius V|Pius V]]
 +
|Declares [[Elizabeth I of England]] a heretic and releases her subjects from any allegiance to her.
 +
|-
 +
|1582 (February 24)
 +
|Inter gravissimas
 +
|[[Pope Gregory XIII|Gregory XIII]]
 +
|Establishes the [[Gregorian calendar]].
 +
|-
 +
|1586 (January)
 +
|Coeli et terrae
 +
|[[Pope Sixtus V|Sixtus V]]
 +
|condemned "judicial astrology" as superstitious.
 +
|-
 +
|1588 (February 11)
 +
|Immensa Aeterni Dei
 +
|[[Pope Sixtus V|Sixtus V]]
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
|1653 (May 31)
 +
|Cum occasione
 +
|[[Pope Innocent X|Innocent X]]
 +
|Condemns 5 [[Jansenism|Jansenist]] propositions.
 +
|-
 +
|1665
 +
|Ad Sacram
 +
|[[Pope Alexander VII|Alexander VII]]
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
|1713
 +
|Unigenitus
 +
|[[Pope Clement XI|Clement XI]]
 +
|Condemns [[Jansenism]].
 +
|-
 +
|1738
 +
|In eminenti
 +
|[[Pope Clement XII|Clement XII]]
 +
|Bans Catholics from becoming [[Freemasonry|Freemasons]].
 +
|-
 +
|1814
 +
|Sollicitudo omnium ecclesiarum ("The care of all the churches")
 +
|[[Pope Pius VII|Pius VII]]
 +
|Reestablishes the [[Society of Jesus]].
 +
|-
 +
|1850 (September 29)
 +
|Universalis Ecclesiae
 +
|[[Pope Pius IX|Pius IX]]
 +
|Recreates the Roman Catholic hierarchy in [[England]].
 +
|-
 +
|1868 (June 29)
 +
|Aeterni Patris
 +
|[[Pope Pius IX|Pius IX]]
 +
|Summons [[First Vatican Council]].
 +
|-
 +
|1869 (October 12)
 +
|Apostolicæ Sedis Moderationi
 +
|[[Pope Pius IX|Pius IX]]
 +
|Regulates the system of censures and reservations in the Catholic church.
 +
|-
 +
|1871
 +
|Pastor aeternus
 +
|[[Pope Pius IX|Pius IX]]
 +
|Defines [[papal infallibility]].
 +
|-
 +
|1880 (July 13)
 +
|Dolemus inter alia
 +
|[[Pope Leo XIII|Leo XIII]]
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
|1896
 +
|Apostolicae Curae
 +
|[[Pope Leo XIII|Leo XIII]]
 +
|Declares all Anglican Holy Orders null and void.
 +
|-
 +
|1910
 +
|Quam singulari
 +
|[[Pope Pius X|Pius X]]
 +
|Allows the admittance of Communion to children who have reached the age of reason (about seven years old).
 +
|-
 +
|1950 (November 1)
 +
|Munificentissimus Deus ("The most bountiful God")
 +
|[[Pope Pius XII|Pius XII]]
 +
|Defines the dogma of the [[Assumption of Mary]].
 +
|-
 +
|1961 (December 25)
 +
|Humanae salutis
 +
|[[Pope John XXIII|John XXIII]]
 +
|Summons [[Second Vatican Council]].
 +
|-
 +
|1965 (November 18)
 +
|Dei Verbum ("Word of God")
 +
|[[Pope Paul VI|Paul VI]]
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
|1998 (November 29)
 +
|Incarnationis mysterium
 +
|[[Pope John Paul II|John Paul II]]
 +
|
 +
|}
 +
 +
Finally, a recurrent papal bull, ''In Coena Domini'' ("At the table of the Lord"), was issued annually between 1363 and 1770 at first on Holy Thursday, and later on [[Easter]] Monday.
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
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* [http://www.papalencyclicals.net/ Papal Encyclicals Online] Retrieved May 8, 2007.
 
* [http://www.papalencyclicals.net/ Papal Encyclicals Online] Retrieved May 8, 2007.
 
*Chambers, Ephraim. "[http://digicoll.library.wisc.edu/cgi-bin/HistSciTech/HistSciTech-idx?type=turn&entity=HistSciTech000900240282&isize=L Bull]." ''Cyclopaedia''. 1728.  Retrieved May 8, 2007.
 
*Chambers, Ephraim. "[http://digicoll.library.wisc.edu/cgi-bin/HistSciTech/HistSciTech-idx?type=turn&entity=HistSciTech000900240282&isize=L Bull]." ''Cyclopaedia''. 1728.  Retrieved May 8, 2007.
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[[Category: Philosophy and religion]]
 
[[Category: Philosophy and religion]]
 
[[Category: Religion]]
 
[[Category: Religion]]
  
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Revision as of 07:24, 16 May 2007

A Papal bull is a special kind of patent or charter issued by a pope. It is named after the seal (bulla) that is appended to the end to authenticate it.

Papal bull of Pope Urban VIII, 1637, sealed with a leaden bulla.

Papal bulls were originally issued by popes for various reasons of public communication, but after the fifteenth century CE, they were only issued for the most formal or solemn of occasions. Modern scholars have retroactively used the term "bull" to describe any elaborate papal document issued in the form of a decree or privilege (solemn or simple), including some papal letters. Traditionally, papal bulls always used to bear a metal seal although today bulls only do so on the most solemn of occasions.

History

Papal bulls have been in use at least since the sixth century CE, but the term was not used until around the middle of the thirteenth century CE and then only for internal un-official papal record keeping purposes; the term became official in the fifteenth century, when one of the offices of the Papal chancery was named the "register of bulls" (registrum bullarum).

Original papal bulls exist in quantity only after the eleventh century onward when the transition from fragile papyrus to the more durable parchment was made. None survives in entirety from before 819 C.E.. Some original leaden seals, however, still survive from as early as the 6th century.

The "bulla" (seal)

The most distinctive characteristic of a bull was its metal seal, which was usually made of lead, but on very solemn occasions was made of gold (as Byzantine imperial deeds often were). The "bulla" depicted the founders of the Church of Rome, the apostles Peter and Paul, identified by the letters Sanctus PAulus and Sanctus PEtrus. The name of the issuing pope was usually on the reverse side. The seal was then attached to the document either by cords of hemp (in the case of letters of justice, and executory) or by red and yellow silk (in the case of letters of grace), which was looped through slits in the vellum of the document. Bulla is the name of this seal, which to ancient observers looked like a bubble floating on water: Latin bullire, "to boil."

Since the late eighteenth century CE, the lead bulla has been replaced with a red ink stamp of Saints Peter and Paul with the reigning pope's name encircling the picture.

Format, Style and Content

A Papal bull traditionally began with a Latin sentence containing three elements: the pope's name, the papal title episcopus servus servorum Dei, meaning 'bishop, servant of the servants of God', and the few Latin words that constituted the incipit from which the bull would also take its name for record keeping purposes, but which might not be directly indicative of the bull's purpose.

The bull is the only written communication in which the pope refers to himself as episcopus servus servorum Dei, meaning "Bishop, Servant of the Servants of God" (e.g. Benedict XVI, when he issues a decree in bull form, will begin the document with Benedictus, Episcopus, Servus Servorum Dei).

Apart from the above, the body of the text had no specific conventions for its formatting; it was often very simple in layout. The closing section consisted of a short datum, mentioning the place it was issued, the day of the month and the year of the pope's pontificate and signatures, near which was attached the seal.

For the most solemn bulls, the pope would sign the document himself, in which case he used the formula Ego N. Catholicae Ecclesiae Episcopus (I, N., Bishop of the Catholic Church). Following the signature in this case would be an elaborate monogram, the signatures of any witnesses, and then the seal. Nowadays, a member of the Roman Curia signs the document on behalf of the Pope, usually the Cardinal Secretary of State, and thus the monogram is omitted.

In terms of content, the bull is simply the format in which a decree of the pope appears. Any subject may be treated in a bull such as statutory decrees, episcopal appointments, dispensations, excommunications, apostolic constitutions, canonizations and convocations. The bull was the exclusive letter format from the Vatican until the fourteenth century, when the Papal brief began to appear. The Papal brief is the less formal form of papal communication and is authenticated with a wax impression (now a red ink impression) of the Ring of the Fisherman. There has never been an exact distinction of usage between a bull and a brief, but nowadays most letters, including Papal encyclicals, are issued as briefs.

Some Papal Bulls

The following list provides a sample of some Papal bulls by the year in which they were issued (the list is not exhaustive):

Year Bull Issuer Description
1079 Libertas ecclesiae Gregory VII
1079 Antiqua sanctorum patrum Gregory VII Granted the church of Lyon primacy over the churches of Gaul
c. 1120 Sicut Judaeis Callixtus II Provides protection for the Jews who suffered from the hands of the participants in the First Crusade.
1136 (July 7) Ex commisso nobis Innocent II Bull of Gniezno
1139 (March 29) Omne Datum Optimum Innocent II Endorses the Knights Templar.
1144 Milites Templi ("Soldiers of the Temple") Celestine II Provides clergy protection to the Knights Templar and encourages contributions to their cause.
1145 Militia Dei ("Soldiers of God") Eugene III Allows the Knights Templar to take tithes and burial fees and to bury their dead in their own cemeteries.
1145 (December 1) Quantum praedecessores Eugene III Calls for the Second Crusade.
1155 Laudabiliter Adrian IV Gives the English King Henry II lordship over Ireland.
1184 Ad Abolendam Lucius III Condemns heresy, and lists some punishments (though stops short of death).
1185 Post Miserabile Innocent III Calls for a Crusade.
1187 (October 29) Audita tremendi Gregory VIII Calls for the Third Crusade.
1192 Cum universi Celestine III
1199 (February 19) Innocent III Assigns the uniform of a white tunic with a black cross to the Teutonic Knights.
1205 Etsi non displaceat Innocent III
1213 Quia maior Innocent III Calls for the Fifth Crusade.
1216 (December) Religiosam vitam Honorius III Established the Dominican Order
1218 In generali concilio Honorius III
1219 Super speculam Honorius III
1223 (November 29) Solet annuere Honorius III Approves the Rule of St. Francis.
1231 (April 13) Parens scientarum ("The Mother of Sciences") Gregory IX Guarantees the independence of the University of Paris.
1232 (February 8) Ille humani generis Gregory IX
1233 Etsi Judaeorum Gregory IX
1233 Licet ad capiendos Gregory IX
1239 Si vera sunt Gregory IX
1247 Lachrymabilem Judaeorum Innocent IV
1252 (May 15) Ad exstirpanda Innocent IV Authorizes the use of torture for eliciting confessions from heretics during the Inquisition and executing relapsed heretics by burning them alive.
1254 (October 6) Querentes in agro Innocent IV
1267 Turbato corde Clement IV
1274 Ubi Periculum Gregory X
1296 (February 25) Clericis Laicos Boniface VIII Excommunicates all members of the clergy who, without autorization from the Holy See, pay to laymen any part of their income or the revenue of the Church, and all rulers who receive such payments.
1299 De Sepulturis Boniface VIII Prohibits the dismembering and boiling of the bodies so that the bones, separated from the flesh, may be carried for burial in their own countries.
1302 (November 18) Unam Sanctam ("The One Holy") Boniface VIII Declares that there is no salvation outside the Church (Extra Ecclesiam nulla salus), and that the Church must remain united.
1307 (November 22) Pastoralis praeminentiæ Clement V Orders the arrest of the Knights Templar and the confiscation of their possessions.
1308 Fasciens misericordiam Clement V Sets out the procedure to prosecute the Knights Templar.
1308 Regnans in coelis]] Clement V Convenes the Council of Vienne to discuss the Knights Templar.
1312 (March 22) Vox in excelso Clement V Disbands the Knights Templar.
1312 (May 2) Ad providam Clement V Grants the bulk of Templar property on to the Knights Hospitallers.
1312 (May 6) Considerantes dudum Clement V
1312 (May 16) Nuper in concilio Clement V
1312 (December 18) Licet dudum Clement V
1312 (December 31) Dudum in generali concilio Clement V
1313 (January 13) Licet pridem Clement V
1317 Sane Considerante John XXII
1323 Cum inter nonnullos John XXI
1425 Martin V Foundation of the Université Catholique de Louvain
1439 (July 6) Laetantur Coeli Eugene IV
1452 (June 18) Dum diversas Nicholas V Authorises Afonso V of Portugal to reduce any Muslims, pagans other unbelievers to perpetual slavery.
1455 (January 5) Romanus Pontifex Nicholas V Sanctifies the seizure of non-Christian lands discovered during the Age of Discovery and encourages the enslavement of natives.
1470 (April 19) Ineffabilis providentia Paul II
1478 (November 1) Exigit sinceræ devotionis Sixtus IV
1481 (June 21) Aeterni regis Sixtus IV Confirms the Treaty of Alcáçovas.
1484 (December 5) Summis desiderantes Innocent VIII Condemns an alleged outbreak of witchcraft and heresy in the region of the Rhine River valley, and deputizes Heinrich Kramer and Jacob Sprenger as inquisitors to root out alleged witchcraft in Germany.
1493 (May 4) Inter caetera Alexander VI Divides the New World between Spain and Portugal.
1493 (June 25) Piis Fidelium Alexander VI Grants Spain vicarial power to appoint missionaries to the Indies.
1513 (December 19) Apostolici Regiminis Leo X
1514 Supernæ Leo X Declares that the cardinals in a body should come immediately after the pope and precede all others in the church.
1520 (June 15) Exsurge Domine ("Arise, O Lord") Leo X Demands that Martin Luther retract 41 of his 95 theses, as well as other specified errors, within sixty days of its publication in neighbouring regions to Saxony.
1521 (January 3) Decet Romanum Pontificem ("[It] befits [the] Roman Pontiff") Leo X Excommunicates Martin Luther.
1537 (May 29) Sublimus Dei Paul III Forbids the enslavement of the indigenous peoples of the Americas.
1540 (September 27) Regimini militantis ecclesiae ("To the Government of the Church Militant") Paul III Approves the formation of the Society of Jesus.
1543 (March 14) Injunctum nobis Paul III
1550 (July 21) Exposcit debitum ("The Duty demands") Julius III Second and final approval of the Society of Jesus
1555 (July 14) Cum nimis absurdum ("Since it is absurd") Paul IV Places religious and economic restrictions on Jews in the Papal States.
1559 (February 15) Cum ex apostolatus officio Paul IV Confirms that only Catholics can be elected Popes.
1565 (January 17) Æquum reputamus Pius V
1570 (February 25) Regnans in Excelsis ("Ruling from on high) Pius V Declares Elizabeth I of England a heretic and releases her subjects from any allegiance to her.
1582 (February 24) Inter gravissimas Gregory XIII Establishes the Gregorian calendar.
1586 (January) Coeli et terrae Sixtus V condemned "judicial astrology" as superstitious.
1588 (February 11) Immensa Aeterni Dei Sixtus V
1653 (May 31) Cum occasione Innocent X Condemns 5 Jansenist propositions.
1665 Ad Sacram Alexander VII
1713 Unigenitus Clement XI Condemns Jansenism.
1738 In eminenti Clement XII Bans Catholics from becoming Freemasons.
1814 Sollicitudo omnium ecclesiarum ("The care of all the churches") Pius VII Reestablishes the Society of Jesus.
1850 (September 29) Universalis Ecclesiae Pius IX Recreates the Roman Catholic hierarchy in England.
1868 (June 29) Aeterni Patris Pius IX Summons First Vatican Council.
1869 (October 12) Apostolicæ Sedis Moderationi Pius IX Regulates the system of censures and reservations in the Catholic church.
1871 Pastor aeternus Pius IX Defines papal infallibility.
1880 (July 13) Dolemus inter alia Leo XIII
1896 Apostolicae Curae Leo XIII Declares all Anglican Holy Orders null and void.
1910 Quam singulari Pius X Allows the admittance of Communion to children who have reached the age of reason (about seven years old).
1950 (November 1) Munificentissimus Deus ("The most bountiful God") Pius XII Defines the dogma of the Assumption of Mary.
1961 (December 25) Humanae salutis John XXIII Summons Second Vatican Council.
1965 (November 18) Dei Verbum ("Word of God") Paul VI
1998 (November 29) Incarnationis mysterium John Paul II

Finally, a recurrent papal bull, In Coena Domini ("At the table of the Lord"), was issued annually between 1363 and 1770 at first on Holy Thursday, and later on Easter Monday.

References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

  • Signorotto, Gianvittorio and Maria Antonietta Visceglia (Eds.) Court and Politics in Papal Rome. Cambridge University Press, 2002. ISBN 978-0521641463

External links

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