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Glite Dictionary
encyclical

encyclical

5 9.9
A formal letter from the pope to all Catholic bishops about church teaching
  • noun
  • /ˌɛnˈsɪklɪkəl/
  • Formal
translation icon : encíclica
  • In his recent encyclical on social justice, the pope outlined the church's stance on poverty.
  • a papal encyclical
  • an encyclical condemning racism
  • issued the encyclical

Examples

  • The pope addressed important moral issues in his recent encyclical to the bishops.

  • Here, "Catholic social teaching" refers mainly to the period beginning with Leo XIII's encyclical Rerum Novarum in 1891.

    Academic text (1993)

  • There was really little that was different in the encyclical, and it was silent on the danger from the right.

    Academic text (1999)

  • When I, when I was a kid, we had to read this papal encyclical, which is on, on human labor.

  • Sorry, I know that sounds funny, but she wrote an introduction to the encyclical on climate change and inequality with Pope Francis.

  • The Catholic press deemed it a virtual encyclical against racism.

    Academic text (1998)

  • Pope Francis is currently working on a much-anticipated encyclical on the environment, which will be an important addition to these statements.

    Academic text (2015)

  • Pope John Paul II, in his recent encyclical Centesimus Annus, embraced market capitalism.

    Academic text (1992)

  • In March 1937, he issued the encyclical Mit brennender Sorge, which was read from Catholic pulpits in Germany.

    Academic text (1998)

  • Many Catholics eagerly await the release of the pope's encyclical each year.

Synonyms

papal bull
vsencyclical
  • Formal
1 9.9

An official paper from the pope sealed with a lead seal

is a formal letter sent to bishops worldwide rather than a sealed proclamation
decretal
vsencyclical
  • Formal
1 9.9

An official letter or order from the pope about church law

is broader, addressing doctrine and policy rather than only legal rulings
encyclical letter
vsencyclical
  • Formal
9.9

A letter the pope sends to all Catholic bishops about Church teaching or practice

is the shorter form used instead of the longer phrase

Compounds

encyclical letter
  • Formal
9.9

A letter the pope sends to all Catholic bishops about Church teaching or practice

How Official

papal bull
  • Formal
1 9.9
encyclical
  • Formal
5 9.9
pastoral
  • Formal
1 7.9

Surface Forms

encyclical singular
encyclicals plural

Morphology

encyclical = cyclical + en (opaque) = en + cycl + ic + ical

Although analyzable as en- + cyclical historically, the modern ecclesiastical meaning 'a papal letter' is specialized and not derivable from 'cycle' or 'cyclical' by typical learners.

Etymology

The word encyclical comes from Greek parts en- 'in' and kyklos 'circle', which is the same idea as the English word circle. So an encyclical was a 'circular' letter sent around to many churches, which is why today it means a formal letter the pope sends to all bishops.