Pope Francis’ post-synodal apostolic exhortation, dated 24 November 2013, on proclaiming & making present, in today’s world, Christ. Image links to Vatican translation.
Pope Francis: Evangeli Gaudium
Reply
Category Archives: Papal Statements, Documents and Decrees
Heinrich Denzinger, Peter Hünermann, Robert Fastiggi, et al.: Compendium of Creeds, Definitions, and Declarations on Matters of Faith and Morals (Enchiridion symbolorum…)
The standard reference for Catholic dogmatic theology. The Enchiridion symbolorum reveals the historical development of Church doctrine through chronological arrangement of key passages from principal magisterial source documents. Image links to free 1954 edition, which employs the pre -1963 marginal numbering system. ISBN recommendation: 0898707463
Papal Encyclicals
Papal letters to the Universal Church or, in many cases, especially before Vatican II, to the Bishops in communion with the Holy See. Worthy of special attention besides Rerum Novarum (see previous post) are Quadragesimo Anno, Mater et Magistra, Pacem in Terris, Populorum Progressio, Laborum Exercens, Sollicitudo Rei Socialis, Centesimus Annus, Caritas in Veritate, Fides et Ratio, and Spe Salvi. As of this post, the Vatican has online the encyclicals of Leo XIII, Pius X, Benedict XV, Pius XI, Pius XII, John XXIII, Paul VI, John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Francis. ISBN recommendation: 0-87650-259-1
Pope Benedict XVI: Verbum Domini
Pope Benedict XVI’s post-synodal apostolic exhortation, dated 30 September 2010, on the Word of GOD in the life and mission of the Church. Image links to Vatican translation.
Pope John Paul II: Message to the Participants in the Plenary of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences (October 22, 1996)
Pope John Paul II’s address to the Pontifical Academy of Sciences’ Plenary Session on
‘The Origins and Early Evolution of Life’: “How do the conclusions reached by the various scientific disciplines coincide with those contained in the message of Revelation? And if, at first sight, there are apparent contradictions, in what direction do we look for their solution? We know, in fact, that truth cannot contradict truth…” Image links to Pontifical Academy of Sciences translation. See also Appendix I, Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger: In the Beginning…, for a contemporary meditation on the Genesis creation accounts.
John Paul II: Christifideles Laici
Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation, dated 30 December 1988, on the vocation and mission of the laity in the Church and in the world. Image links to Vatican translation.
Pope John Paul II: Salvifici Doloris
Apostolic letter, issued 11 February 1984, regarding the Christian meaning of human suffering. Image links to Vatican translation.
Pope Paul VI and Patriarch Athenagoras I of Constantinople: Joint Catholic-Orthodox Declaration
A joint Catholic-Orthodox declaration, proclaimed 7 December 1965, committing the excommunications, related to Papal embassy to Constantinople in 1054, to oblivion. The declaration marks a first step toward reconciliation between the Catholic and Orthodox communions. Image links to Vatican translation.
Pope Pius XII: Munificentissimus Deus
Apostolic Constitution, dated 1 November 1950, defining the dogma of the Assumption of Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven. Image links to Vatican translation.
Pope Leo XIII: Rerum Novarum
Pope Leo XIII, seeking to address “the misery and wretchedness pressing so unjustly on the majority of the working class”, issued on 15 May 1891 Rerum Novarum, an encyclical on the rights and duties of capital and labor. It is considered a seminal classic of Catholic social teaching. Image links to Vatican translation.