The simplest territorial organization in the Church. In the popular and narrowest sense, the word "missions" denotes Catholic missions in countries predominantly pagan. On September 12, 1896, the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples abolished those prefectures Apostolic in the Orient which did not have definite boundaries, and substituted for them organizations called "Missions." These were entrusted to certain regular Orders, and ruled by "Superiors" appointed by the generals of those Orders, but subject to the Apostolic delegates of the countries in which the Missions were located. As soon as a Mission is developed sufficiently, it is erected into a prefecture Apostolic.
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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