A circular letter; now almost exclusively a papal document, differing in technical form from a Bull or Brief, treating of matters affecting the general welfare of the Church and addressed explicitly to the patriarchs, primates, archbishops, and bishops of the Universal Church in communion with the Apostolic See.
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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