Church Pronouncements

CHURCH PRONOUCEMENTS
2.            Recognizing that “not all Roman documents are equal” and that there are a variety of pronouncements, not all of which have equal authority, use the Huebsch article to create a “catalogue” in which you:
a)      define the types of church pronouncements;
b)      give one example of each type; and
c)      when complete, write a summary paragraph indicating why knowing this approach to documents is important within your study of theology.

Encyclical Letter is a letter addressed primarily to the bishops of the Universal Church and through them as teachers of the Faith to the whole People of God. It may address questions of faith and morals, an event or the memorial of an event or previous encyclical, or even the situation of a particular group or country.
An example is Pope Benedict XVI’s 2005 “Deus Caritas Est”concerning Christian love.
Encyclical Epistle is similar to the encyclical letter, but it is addressed to a particular bishop of a particular region or country not to the t universal church. It is rarely issued.
An example is Pope John Paul II’s   (1985)“Slavorum Apostoli”   in commemoration of the eleventh centenary of evangelizing work of Saints Cyril and Methodius.
Apostolic Exhortation   is an exhortation that addresses a   particular audience and is an encouragement to some particular good.
An example is Pope Bendict XVI’s “Verbum Domini” a Post Synodal   Apostolic Exhortation on the Word of God in the life and mission of the Church (September, 2010).                        
Apostolic Letters (Motu Proprio) An apostolic letter can be addressed to anyone, often the whole People of God explicitly and can be on a variety of themes.
An example is “Tertio Millennio Adveniente,” which was a letter from the Pope John Paul II to the whole Church relating his wishes and instructions on how to prepare for the year 2000.
Apostolic Constitution This is a writing used to promulgate some official document. It is often... [continues]

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