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Encyclical - Definition and Overview |
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In the ancient Church, an encyclical was a circular letter sent to all the churches of a particular area. As used at that time, the word could be used of a letter sent out by any bishop. The word comes from Latin "encyclia" meaning "general" or "encircling", which is also the origin of the word "encyclopedia".
In the modern Roman Catholic Church an encyclical is a letter sent by the Pope to all Roman Catholic bishops, usually a statement of policy or announcing a new initiative. The Orthodox Church and the Anglican Communion retain the older usage.
Important papal encyclicals
Important Eastern Orthodox Encyclicals
External link
John Paul II Encyclicals from Vatican (http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/encyclicals/index.htm)
Source
The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (3rd. ed.), p. 545
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Example Usage of Encyclical |
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suzzzanna: I need to go get ready for the New Haven guerilla queer bar. Somebody tell me how this JPII Encyclical on the dignity of women ends. |
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rwdias: @Linaldawen Nice, Sylvia. I'm reading it too, splitting my time between the Code of Canon Law and the Encyclical letters. |
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holytweeting: ΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΗ ΠΙΣΤΗ: Encyclical Letter of the Holy Synod of Bishops of ... http://bit.ly/1UVLog
#Jesus #god #spirit |
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