Editing Decree (section)

==Catholic Church==
{{canon law}}
{{main|Decree (canon law)|Canon law (Catholic Church)}}
{{see also|Decretal|Decretum Gratiani}}
A decree ([[Ecclesiastical Latin|Latin]]: ''decretum'') in the usage of the [[canon law (Catholic Church)|canon law]] of the [[Catholic Church]] has various meanings. Any [[papal bull]], [[papal brief|brief]], or [[motu proprio]] is a decree inasmuch as these documents are legislative acts of the [[pope]]. In this sense, the term is quite ancient. The [[Roman Congregations]] were formerly empowered to issue decrees in matters which come under their particular jurisdiction but were forbidden from continuing to do so under [[Pope Benedict XV]] in 1917.<ref>René Metz, ''What is Canon Law?''</ref> Each [[ecclesiastical province]] and also each [[diocese]] may issue decrees in their periodical [[synods]] within their sphere of authority.

While in a general sense all documents promulgated by an ecumenical council can be called decrees, in a specific sense some of these documents, as at the [[Second Vatican Council]], were called more precisely constitutions or declarations.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/index.htm|title=Documents of the Second Vatican Council|website=www.vatican.va|access-date=2019-02-06}}</ref>

Canon 29 of the 1983 Code of Canon Law defines general decrees:
{{blockquote|General decrees, by which a competent legislator makes common provisions for a community capable of receiving a law, are true laws and are regulated by the provisions of the canons on laws.<ref>[http://www.intratext.com/IXT/ENG0017/_P4.HTM Canon 29], [[1983 Code of Canon Law]]; accessed 30 March 2016.</ref>}}

===Holy See===
{{main|Law of Vatican City|Decretal|Decree (canon law)}}
{{see also|Canon law (Catholic Church)}}
The [[Holy See]] uses decrees from the [[pope]] such as  [[papal bull]], [[papal brief]] or [[motu proprio]] as legislative acts.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|access-date=2007-02-17|encyclopedia=[[Catholic Encyclopedia]]|url=http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04670a.htm|title=Decree}}</ref>