Apostolic Constitution

See also: Constitution (homonymy)

In Diplomatic vaticane, a apostolic constitution (of the Latin constitutio apostolica ) is a émamant act of the Pape. The term Constitution corresponds here to a broad direction, and indicates a text equivalent to a Loi in the civil field. The apostolic qualifier means simply which is resulting from the apostolic Siège: a apostolic constitution is a law which the pope promulgates under his authority of general government on the Church.

The most important decisions of sovereign pontiff concerning the faith are indicated thus, manners, the administration of the Church (for example, the apostolic constitution Sacrae disciplinae light of January 25th, 1983 promulgates the new code of canonical Droit). They are often presented in the form of bubbles.

History

The apostolic constitutions specifically indicate a collection touching the discipline and the sacraments of the Church, which is given for the work of Saint Clement, direct disciple of the Apôtre S. Actually, this work is a compilation of writings former, written at the end of the IV° century or towards the beginning of V° century, in Syria, by a apollinarist or a semi-Arian. It gives important indications on the discipline and the sacraments about year 400.

Object

The apostolic constitutions can theoretically relate to all the subjects:

Of 1909 with 1976, 1.681 constitutions apostolic were promulgated, which makes this act one of most used with the Encyclique.

Form

The apostolic constitutions are always written in Latin and are usually sealed. They at the head carry the name of the pope, follow-up of the mention “pope” (PP.) or “bishop” ( episcopus ), and possibly of the sequence number. The second line is marked “servant of the servants of God” ( servus servorum Dei ), used for the pope since Gregoire I {{er}} (590 - 604). The greeting varies, but the formula “for eternal memory” ( AD perpetuam rei memoriam ) is most often retained. Thus, Regimini Ecclesiæ universæ is presented as follows:

Paulus PP. VI

Servus servorum Dei
AD perpetuam rei memoriam

When the apostolic constitution is of dogmatic nature, it is signed of the pope, at the end, above the signatures of the cardinal present at the promulgation. Generally, only the signatures of the cardinal chancellor or the Secretary of State appear, like that of the cardinal prefect of the congregation concerned.

Before 1908, the dating used was that of the year of the Incarnation, beginning the March 25th and counting the days according to the Roman Calendrier. Since Black and white X, the date is given in the ordinary way.

Notes and reference S

Additional articles

  • dogmatic Constitution.

The various forms which the acts of the pope take:

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