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An encyclical was originally a circular letter sent to all the churches of a particular area in the ancient Roman Church. At that time, the word could be used for a letter sent out by any bishop. The word comes from the Late Latin encyclios (originally from the Latin encyclius, a Latinization of Greek ἐνκύκλιος (enkyklios), meaning "circular", "in a circle", or "all-round", also part of the origin of the word encyclopedia).^[1] The term has been used by Catholics, Anglicans and the Eastern Orthodox Church. Catholic social teaching has advanced 19 encyclicals.

Catholic usage

Although the term "encyclical" originally simply meant a circulating letter, it acquired a more specific meaning within the context of the Catholic Church. In 1740, Pope Benedict XIV wrote a letter titled Ubi primum, which is generally regarded as the first encyclical. The term is now used almost exclusively for a kind of letter sent out by the pope.^[2]

For the modern Catholic Church, a papal encyclical is a specific category of papal document, a kind of pastoral letter concerning Catholic doctrine, sent by the pope and usually addressed especially to patriarchs, primates, archbishops and bishops who are in communion with the Holy See. The form of the address can vary widely and may concern bishops in a particular area, or designate a wider audience.^[2] Papal encyclicals usually take the form of a papal brief because of their more personal nature as opposed to the formal papal bull. They are usually written in Latin, and like most papal documents the title of the encyclical is usually taken from its first few words (its incipit).

Papal use

In the encyclical Humani generis, Pope Pius XII held that papal encyclicals, even when they are of ordinary magisterium, can nonetheless be sufficiently authoritative to end theological debate on a particular question:

It is not to be thought that what is set down in Encyclical letters does not demand assent in itself, because in this the popes do not exercise the supreme power of their magisterium. For these matters are taught by the ordinary magisterium, regarding which the following is pertinent: "He who heareth you, heareth Me." (Luke 10:16); and usually what is set forth and inculcated in Encyclical Letters, already pertains to Catholic doctrine. But if the Supreme Pontiffs in their acts, after due consideration, express an opinion on a hitherto controversial matter, it is clear to all that this matter, according to the mind and will of the same Pontiffs, cannot any longer be considered a question of free discussion among theologians.^[3]

On social issues, Pope Leo XIII promulgated the encyclical Rerum novarum (1891), which was followed by Quadragesimo anno (1931) of Pius XI and Centesimus annus (1991) of John Paul II. Pope Pius XII issued ten encyclicals, mostly after 1945, three of them protesting against the Soviet invasion of Hungary which suppressed the Hungarian Revolution in 1956: Datis nuperrime, Laetamur admodum and Luctuosissimi eventus. Pope Paul VI published an encyclical Humanae vitae on the topic of birth control.

Anglican usage

Amongst Anglicans the term encyclical was revived in the late 19th century. It is applied to circular letters issued by the English primates.

Important Eastern Orthodox encyclicals

Encyclical of the Eastern Patriarchs (1848)
Patriarchal encyclical of 1895
Patriarchal encyclical of 1920
Patriarchal encyclical of 2012^[4]^[5]

References

^ Rice, Doyle (16 June 2015). "The papal encyclical: What is an 'encyclical'?". USA Today.
^ ^a ^b "Encyclical". Encyclopedia Britannica.
^ Humani generis
^ Simon as, Marlise (3 December 2012). "Orthodox Leader Deepens Progressive Stance on Environment". The New York Times. Retrieved 30 August 2017.
^ "Message by H.A.H. Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew upon the Day of Prayer for the Protection of Creation (01/09/2012)". Archived from the original on 29 May 2015.

Sources

The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (3rd. ed.), p. 545.

External links

List of papal documents at the Theology Library
Papal Encyclicals at GCatholic
www.papalencyclicals.net, texts of most of the encyclicals from recent centuries

[1] Rice, Doyle (16 June 2015). "The papal encyclical: What is an 'encyclical'?". USA Today.

[:0-2] "Encyclical". Encyclopedia Britannica.

[3] Humani generis

[4] Simon as, Marlise (3 December 2012). "Orthodox Leader Deepens Progressive Stance on Environment". The New York Times. Retrieved 30 August 2017.

[5] "Message by H.A.H. Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew upon the Day of Prayer for the Protection of Creation (01/09/2012)". Archived from the original on 29 May 2015.

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[2]

[3]

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{Short description|Doctrinal document in Christian churches}}
-An '''encyclical''' was originally a [[Flyer (pamphlet)|circular]] letter sent to all the churches of a particular area in the ancient [[Catholic Church|Roman Church]]. At that time, the word could be used for a letter sent out by any [[bishop]]. The word comes from the [[Late Latin]] {{lang|la|encyclios}} (originally from the [[Latin]] {{lang|la|encyclius}}, a Latinization of [[Ancient Greek|Greek]] {{lang|grc|ἐνκύκλιος}} ({{transl|grc|enkyklios}}), meaning "circular", "in a circle", or "all-round", also part of the origin of the word [[encyclopedia]]).<ref>{{Cite news|last=Rice|first=Doyle|date=16 June 2015|title=The papal encyclical: What is an 'encyclical'?|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2015/06/16/pope-francis-encyclical/28814437/|website=USA Today}}</ref> The term has been used by [[Catholic Church|Catholics]], [[Anglicanism|Anglicans]] and the [[Eastern Orthodox Church]].
+An '''encyclical''' was originally a [[Flyer (pamphlet)|circular]] letter sent to all the churches of a particular area in the ancient [[Christianity as the Roman state religion|Roman Church]]. At that time, the word could be used for a letter sent out by any [[bishop]]. The word comes from the [[Late Latin]] {{lang|la|encyclios}} (originally from the [[Latin]] {{lang|la|encyclius}}, a Latinization of [[Ancient Greek|Greek]] {{lang|grc|ἐνκύκλιος}} ({{transl|grc|enkyklios}}), meaning "circular", "in a circle", or "all-round", also part of the origin of the word [[encyclopedia]]).<ref>{{Cite news|last=Rice|first=Doyle|date=16 June 2015|title=The papal encyclical: What is an 'encyclical'?|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2015/06/16/pope-francis-encyclical/28814437/|website=USA Today}}</ref> The term has been used by [[Catholic Church|Catholics]], [[Anglicanism|Anglicans]] and the [[Eastern Orthodox Church]]. [[Catholic social teaching]] has advanced 19 encyclicals.
 ==Catholic usage==
 Although the term "encyclical" originally simply meant a circulating letter, it acquired a more specific meaning within the context of the Catholic Church. In 1740, [[Pope Benedict XIV]] wrote a letter titled ''Ubi primum'', which is generally regarded as the first encyclical. The term is now used almost exclusively for a kind of letter sent out by the pope.<ref name=":0" />
-For the modern Roman Catholic Church, a '''papal encyclical''' is a specific category of papal document, a kind of [[Pastoral care|pastoral]] letter concerning Catholic doctrine, sent by the pope and usually addressed especially to patriarchs, primates, archbishops and bishops who are in [[Koinonia|communion]] with the [[Holy See]]. The form of the address can vary widely and may concern bishops in a particular area, or designate a wider audience.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Encyclical|website=Encyclopedia Britannica|url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/encyclical}}</ref> Papal encyclicals usually take the form of a [[papal brief]] because of their more personal nature as opposed to the formal [[papal bull]]. They are usually written in [[Latin language|Latin]], and like most papal documents the title of the encyclical is usually taken from its [[opening sentence|first few words]] (its ''[[incipit]]'').
+For the modern [[Catholic Church]], a '''papal encyclical''' is a specific category of papal document, a kind of [[Pastoral care|pastoral]] letter concerning Catholic doctrine, sent by the pope and usually addressed especially to patriarchs, primates, archbishops and bishops who are in [[Koinonia|communion]] with the [[Holy See]]. The form of the address can vary widely and may concern bishops in a particular area, or designate a wider audience.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Encyclical|website=Encyclopedia Britannica|url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/encyclical}}</ref> Papal encyclicals usually take the form of a [[papal brief]] because of their more personal nature as opposed to the formal [[papal bull]]. They are usually written in [[Latin language|Latin]], and like most papal documents the title of the encyclical is usually taken from its [[opening sentence|first few words]] (its ''[[incipit]]'').
 ===Papal use===
@@ Line 12: / Line 12: @@
 {{quote|It is not to be thought that what is set down in Encyclical letters does not demand assent in itself, because in this the popes do not exercise the supreme power of their magisterium.  For these matters are taught by the ordinary magisterium, regarding which the following is pertinent: "He who heareth you, heareth Me." (Luke 10:16); and usually what is set forth and inculcated in Encyclical Letters, already pertains to Catholic doctrine.  But if the Supreme Pontiffs in their acts, after due consideration, express an opinion on a hitherto controversial matter, it is clear to all that this matter, according to the mind and will of the same Pontiffs, cannot any longer be considered a question of free discussion among theologians.<ref>''[[Humani generis]]''</ref>}}
-On social issues, [[Pope Leo XIII]] promulgated the encyclical ''[[Rerum novarum]]'' (1891), which was followed by ''[[Quadragesimo anno]]'' (1931) of [[Pope Pius XI|Pius XI]] and ''[[Centesimus annus]]'' (1991) of [[Pope John Paul II|John Paul II]]. [[List of encyclicals of Pope Pius XII|Pope Pius XII issued ten encyclicals]], mostly after 1945, three of them protesting against the [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] invasion of [[Hungary]] which suppressed the [[Hungarian Revolution of 1956|Hungarian Revolution]] in 1956: ''[[Datis nuperrime]]'', ''[[Sertum laetitiae]]'' and ''[[Luctuosissimi eventus]]''. [[Pope Paul VI]] published an encyclical ''[[Humanae vitae]]'' on the topic of [[birth control]].
+On social issues, [[Pope Leo XIII]] promulgated the encyclical ''[[Rerum novarum]]'' (1891), which was followed by ''[[Quadragesimo anno]]'' (1931) of [[Pope Pius XI|Pius XI]] and ''[[Centesimus annus]]'' (1991) of [[Pope John Paul II|John Paul II]]. [[List of encyclicals of Pope Pius XII|Pope Pius XII issued ten encyclicals]], mostly after 1945, three of them protesting against the [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] invasion of [[Hungary]] which suppressed the [[Hungarian Revolution of 1956|Hungarian Revolution]] in 1956: ''[[Datis nuperrime]]'', ''[[Laetamur admodum]]'' and ''[[Luctuosissimi eventus]]''. [[Pope Paul VI]] published an encyclical ''[[Humanae vitae]]'' on the topic of [[birth control]].
 ==Anglican usage==
 Amongst [[Anglican Communion|Anglican]]s the term ''encyclical'' was revived in the late 19th century. It is applied to circular letters issued by the English [[primate (bishop)|primate]]s.
-=== Important Eastern Orthodox encyclicals ===
+==Important Eastern Orthodox encyclicals==
 * [[Encyclical of the Eastern Patriarchs]] (1848)
 * Patriarchal encyclical of 1895
 * Patriarchal encyclical of 1920
 * Patriarchal encyclical of 2012<ref>{{cite news | work = [[The New York Times]] | access-date = 30 August 2017 | title = Orthodox Leader Deepens Progressive Stance on Environment | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/04/science/bartholomew-i-of-constantinoples-bold-green-stance.html | date = 3 December 2012 | first = Marlise | last = Simon as}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Message by H.A.H. Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew upon the Day of Prayer for the Protection of Creation (01/09/2012)|url=https://www.patriarchate.org/-/patriarchikon-menyma-epi-te-eorte-tes-indiktou-2012?redirect=https%3A%2F%2Frp.liu233w.com%3A443%2Fhttps%2Fwww.patriarchate.org%2Fpatriarchal-encyclicals-proclamations%3Fp_p_id%3D101_INSTANCE_QnqPBbQ42NED%26p_p_lifecycle%3D0%26p_p_state%3Dnormal%26p_p_mode%3Dview%26p_p_col_id%3Dcolumn-1%26p_p_col_pos%3D1%26p_p_col_count%3D2%26_101_INSTANCE_QnqPBbQ42NED_advancedSearch%3Dfalse%26_101_INSTANCE_QnqPBbQ42NED_keywords%3D%26_101_INSTANCE_QnqPBbQ42NED_delta%3D15%26p_r_p_564233524_resetCur%3Dfalse%26_101_INSTANCE_QnqPBbQ42NED_cur%3D4%26_101_INSTANCE_QnqPBbQ42NED_andOperator%3Dtrue&_101_INSTANCE_QnqPBbQ42NED_languageId=en_US|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150529222707/https://www.patriarchate.org/-/patriarchikon-menyma-epi-te-eorte-tes-indiktou-2012?redirect=https%3A%2F%2Frp.liu233w.com%3A443%2Fhttps%2Fwww.patriarchate.org%2Fpatriarchal-encyclicals-proclamations%3Fp_p_id%3D101_INSTANCE_QnqPBbQ42NED%26p_p_lifecycle%3D0%26p_p_state%3Dnormal%26p_p_mode%3Dview%26p_p_col_id%3Dcolumn-1%26p_p_col_pos%3D1%26p_p_col_count%3D2%26_101_INSTANCE_QnqPBbQ42NED_advancedSearch%3Dfalse%26_101_INSTANCE_QnqPBbQ42NED_keywords%3D%26_101_INSTANCE_QnqPBbQ42NED_delta%3D15%26p_r_p_564233524_resetCur%3Dfalse%26_101_INSTANCE_QnqPBbQ42NED_cur%3D4%26_101_INSTANCE_QnqPBbQ42NED_andOperator%3Dtrue&_101_INSTANCE_QnqPBbQ42NED_languageId=en_US|archive-date=29 May 2015}}</ref>
+== See also ==
+* [[Apostolic letter (disambiguation)]]
 ==References==