Roman congregation appointed by Pius IV, 1564, at first to supervise the execution of the decrees of the Council of Trent, and later to interpret them. For a time, when the Rota ceased to function, this congregation took over matrimonial cases. It also reviewed the reports of bishops on their dioceses, a function now belonging to the Congregation of the Consistory. At present the council has the supervision of the discipline of the secular clergy, and matters relating to bishops which were the concern of the former Congregation of Bishops and Regulars. It has charge of the observance of ecclesiastical precepts of fasting and abstinence, feast-days, dispensations, and the activities of parochial and pious organizations. With it is associated the Congregation of Loreto which has special care of the shrine at that place.
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
Read More