(1) A body composed of persons legally appointed to perform some duty. A pontifical commission is a special committee of cardinals, named for certain purposes, such as the care of biblical studies or the restoration of church music. A prelatitial commission is a committee of prelates and scholars mostly attached to Roman Congregations in charge of special departments. A diocesan commission is a committee of clerics to care for the seminaries, synodal examinations, church music, and purity of teaching.
(2) A document issued by competent authority conferring rank or power on a person designated therein.
(3) The office or rank so held.
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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