Apostolic constitution

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An apostolic constitution (Latin: constitutio apostolica) is the most solemn form of legislation issued by the Pope.^[1]^[2] It is one of several types of papal bull that can be issued from the Vatican.^[3]

This high-level document normally deals with matters related to the governance and structure of the Church such as confirming laws, regulations, or institutions within the Church.^[4]

Apostolic constitutions are issued as papal bulls because of their solemn, public form. Among types of papal legislation, apostolic letters issued motu proprio are next in solemnity.^[1] Examples include the "Constitution on the Liturgy" (Sacrosanctum Concilium) and the "Constitution on the Catechism of the Catholic Church."^[5] Another example is Pope Pius XII’s Munificentissimus Deus, the dogma of the Blessed Virgin Mary’s Assumption.^[6]

By their nature, apostolic constitutions are addressed to the public. Generic constitutions use the title apostolic constitution and treat solemn matters of the church, such as the promulgation of laws or definitive teachings. The forms dogmatic constitution and pastoral constitution are titles sometimes used to be more descriptive as to the document's purpose.^[7]

Pope Francis issued 20 apostolic constitutions during his time as pontiff.^[6]

References

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^ ^a ^b New Commentary on the Code of Canon Law, pg. 57, footnote 36.
^ "Mann, Stephanie A., "What Is a Papal Bull?", Our Sunday Visitor, September 1, 2016". Archived from the original on January 12, 2020. Retrieved August 23, 2017.
^ Huddleston, Elizabeth (25 March 2024). "A Very Short Guide to Understanding the Scope, Purpose, and Doctrinal Weight of Papal Documents". Church Life Journal. Retrieved 22 April 2026.
^ Plese, Matthew (24 August 2023). "The Types of Papal Documents and Weight of Each". Fatima Center. Retrieved 22 April 2026.
^ "Types of Papal documents". Mount St. Mary's Seminary & School of Theology. Retrieved 22 April 2026.
^ ^a ^b Vogt, Collin (1 April 2024). "Understanding Papal Documents". The Catholic Echo. Retrieved 22 April 2026.
^ Smith, Randall (July 19, 2014). "A Pastoral and Dogmatic Council". The Catholic Thing. Retrieved April 19, 2023.

Sources

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Huels, John M. "A theory of juridical documents based on canons 29-34", Studia Canonica, 1998, vol. 32, no. 2, pp. 337–370.
Beal, John P., James A. Coriden, Thomas J. Green. New Commentary on the Code of Canon Law: Commissioned by the Canon Law Society of America (New York: Paulist Press, 2000).