Papal Decretals

 The term decretal, epistola decretalis, littera decretalis is used to describe a papal ruling, especially on ruling on ecclesiastical discipline, or a rescript (rescriptum) in response to an appeal.  A decretal may be distinguished from a privilege. The first known papal decretal was issued by Pope Siricius in 385.

 

Latin Text of Siricius's Decretal
Decretals were collected into collections and placed on an equal footing with conciliar canons ca. 500.
 

Pope Innocent III

First Latin Collections of Canon Law

Greek Collections

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