An official enumeration of the people of a country to obtain statistics concerning their ages, occupations, education, and the like. In ancient Rome the census was taken with a view to taxation. In canon law, census means a tax or tribute imposed on a benefice, usually by a bishop and payable to himself. In diocesan and parochial usage it is the enumeration of the faithful, and certain data about their spiritual needs and conditions. A census or enrollment of the people is mentioned several times in the Old Testament and notably in the New Testament (Luke 2), the enrollment of "the whole world" which occasioned the journey of Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem wherc Christ was born.
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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