noun
- papal letters or edicts that contain decisions on points of canon law
Usage: ecclesiastical law; historical
Examples
- The medieval decretals formed an important part of canon law.
- Pope Gregory IX compiled a collection of decretals in 1234.
- Scholars studied the ancient decretals to understand church doctrine.
- The decretals addressed various matters of ecclesiastical discipline.
- These papal decretals were binding on all members of the clergy.
- The university library contained manuscripts of early decretals.