"WHAT ARE PAPAL BULLS?"

New Zealand Tablet, Volume IV, Issue 180, 8 September 1876, Page 13

"WHAT ARE PAPAL BULLS?"

-MThe term bull is derived from the Latin, in which its primary signification must be sought. The Latin word bulla originally meant a bubble in the water, then it came to be applied lo the head of a nail, a stud, embossing, or anything small that was rounded by art, at length it was used to designate the amulet in the shape of a heart suspended from the neck of the boys of pagan Rome till, when at the age ef seventeen, they passed from under the care of tutors, assumed the toga virilis, or outer garment worn in public by their countrymen, when the bulla was consecrated to the lares or household gods, and the youth was declared a man. Finally, similarity of form caused the term to be applied to the seal attached to the edicts of the Emperors, and from this to those of Popes ; and by a gradual and natural process it came in the end to signify the document itself which it accompanied. Papal documents receive different names, according to the nature and importance of the matters of which they treat, the principal being Bulls, Briefs, and Rescripts. The first named are the most important documents. Among these are to be reckoned those convoking councils, and approving and promulgating decrees ; erecting new sees, and appointing bishops ; canonizing saints, condemning heresies, and in short, making known or confirming whatever may require the special exercise of Apostolic authority. A Brief, although of equal authority, is nob prepared and sent, or expedited with the same solemnity as a Ball. The Brief, too is sealed with red wax stamped with the Ring of the Fisherman ; while the seal of the Bull, on the contrary, is either of lead or gold. But the word seal, let it be observed, has here a meaning different from that usually attached to the word in our language j and signifies something entirely separate from the document, and attached to it by a tie of some kind. The custom of using a leaden seal, or bulla, has come from the Roman Emperors, and, in Papal documents, can be traced back to the pontificate of St. Gregory L, or the Great. Bulls are of various kinds. There are those in forma gratiosa, which confer a favor upon the person in whose behalf they are expedited. The seal, or bulla, of these are attached to them by a red or yellow silk ribbon or tie. Other Bulls are in forma rigorosa, which relate to the administration of Justice ; and these have the seals attached by a hempen tie. Besides these there are Consistorial Bulls, which are prepared by the consistory, or council of Cardinals. The material on which the Bull is written is coarse parchment. The language, of course, is Latin. The opening salutation of the Bull is also peculiar, and begins with the name of the Pope, but without his number, should there have been others of the same name, and adds the word " Bishop," with the sub-title, " Servant of the Servants of God" — Serous servorum Dei. The latter title was first adopted by St. Gregory the Great to rebuke the pride of certain Eastern Patriarchs, particularly those of Constantinople and Alexandria, who arrogated to themselves the title of Universal Patriarchs or Universal Bishops, an assertion which the Pope condemned. After the opening words follows the phrase, " For a perpetual remembrance" — Ad perpetuam rei memoriam — or the salutation, " Health and Apostolic Benediction in the Lord "—ln" — In Domino salntemet apostolicam benedictionem. They are not as a rule signed by the Pope ; but those called Consistorial Bulls are signed lay a Cardinal, and the others merely by the Secretary commissioned by prepare them. The publication is entrusted to the Apostolic Chancery. Bulls are quoted by the words with which they begin. Thus the one promulgating the decree of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary is known as the Bull Ineffabilis Deus; and that convoking the Vatican Council, as the JEterni Patris.