Christian Cyclopedia

Decretals are collections of decrees or laws, esp. of papal laws and rules. The term is derived from the Lat. decretalis, “containing a decree”; cf. the Lat. decretum, “decree.” The singular, “decretal,” denotes any authoritative decree or a letter embodying such a decree. Decretals include the Decretum of Gratian* and decretals of Gregory IX (see Popes, 11), Boniface VIII (see Popes, 12), and Clement* V Such decretals are part of canon* law (Corpus* Iuris Canonici). See also Decretals, False; Pseudo-Isidorian Decretals.