List of papal bulls

(Redirected from Gratiam agimus)

This is an incomplete list of papal bulls, listed by the year in which each was issued.

The decrees of some papal bulls were often tied to the circumstances of time and place, and may have been adjusted, attenuated, or abrogated by subsequent popes as situations changed.[1]

List

Eleventh century

YearBullIssuerDescription
1059In nomine Domini
("In the name of the Lord")
Nicholas IIEstablishing cardinal-bishops as the sole electors of the pope.[2]
1079Libertas ecclesiae
("The liberty of the Church")
Gregory VIIAbout Church's independence from imperial authority and interference.
1079Antiqua sanctorum patrum
("The old (traces of the) holy fathers")
Granted the church of Lyon primacy over the churches of Gaul.
1095 (March 16)Cum universis sancteUrban IIThe king or queen of Aragon could not be excommunicated without an express order from the pope.[3]

Twelfth century

YearBullIssuerDescription
1113 (February 15)Pie Postulatio Voluntatis
("The most pious request")
Paschal IIConfirming the establishment and independence of the Knights Hospitaller, and placing the Order under Papal protection.
c. 1120Sicut Judaeis
("Thus to the Jews")
Callixtus IIProvides protection for the Jews who suffered from the hands of the participants in the First Crusade.[4]
1136 (July 7)Ex commisso nobis ("From [the office] assigned to us")Innocent IISplit Archbishop of Magdeburg from the rest of the Polish church.[5]
1139 (March 29)Omne Datum Optimum ("Every perfect gift")Endorses the Knights Templar.
1144Milites Templi
("Soldiers of the Temple")
Celestine IIProvides clergy protection to the Knights Templar and encourages contributions to their cause.
1145Militia Dei
("Soldiers of God")
Eugene IIIAllows the Knights Templar to take tithes and burial fees and to bury their dead in their own cemeteries.
1145 (December 1)Quantum praedecessores
("How much did our predecessors")
Calls for the Second Crusade.
1146 (October 5)Divina dispensationeCalls for the Italian clergy to support the Second Crusade.
1147 (April 11)Divina dispensationeCalls for the Wendish Crusade.
1155Laudabiliter
("Laudably")
Adrian IVGives the English King Henry II lordship over Ireland.
1171 or 1172 (September 11)Non parum animus noster
("Our soul [is] extremely [distressed]")
Alexander IIICalls for the Northern Crusades against the Estonians and Finns.
1179 (May 23)Manifestis Probatum
("It is clearly demonstrated")
Recognition of the kingdom of Portugal and Afonso Henriques as the first king.
1184 (November 4)Ad Abolendam
("In order to abolish")
Lucius IIICondemns heresy, and lists some punishments (though stops short of death).[6]
1187 (October 29)Audita tremendi
("Hearing what terrible...")
Gregory VIIICalls for the Third Crusade.
1192Cum universi
("To all those...")
Celestine IIIDefined the Scottish Church as immediately subject to the Holy See.
1192 (December 23)Cum Romana ecclesiaOrders Archbishop Absalon of Lund to place the kingdom of Denmark under interdict and excommunicate Duke Valdemar if the bishop of Schleswig was not released from prison.[7]
1192 (December 23)Etsi sedes debeatAdmonished the clergy of Denmark for allowing the bishop of Schleswig to be imprisoned and to work for his release.[7]
1192 (December 23)Quanto magnitudinem tuamInforms King Knud VI, that imprisoning the bishop of Schleswig is a crime, and his kingdom faces interdict if the bishop is not released.[7]
1198Post Miserabile
("Sadly, after...")
Innocent IIICalls for the Fourth Crusade.
1199 (March 25)Vergentis in seniumThis bull, addressed to the city of Viterbo, announced that heresy would be considered, in terms of punishment, the same as treason.[8]

Thirteenth century

YearBullIssuerDescription
1205Esti JudaeosInnocent IIIJews were allowed their own houses of worship and would not be forced to convert. Jews were forbidden to eat with Christians or own Christian slaves.[9]
1213 (April)Quia maior
("Because a more...")
Calls for the Fifth Crusade.
1214 (April 21)Bulla AureaEnded papal sanctions against King John in England and the Lordship of Ireland in exchange for that realm's pledge of fealty to the papacy.[10][11] This bull confirmed John's royal charter of 3 October 1213 bearing a golden seal, sometimes called the Bulla Aurea.[12] Payment of the annual tribute of 1,000 marks was finally vetoed by parliament in 1365 under Edward III.[13]
1215 (August 24)Pro rege JohanneDeclares Magna Carta "null, and void of all validity for ever" in favor of King John against the barons[14][15]
1216 (December)Religiosam vitam
("The religious life")
Honorius IIIEstablished the Dominican Order
1218In generali concilioDemanded the enforcement of the 4th Lateran Council that Jews wear clothing to distinguish themselves and that Jews be made to pay the tithe to local churches.[16]
1219Super speculamClosed law schools in Paris and forbade the study of civil law.[17]
1223 (November 29)Solet annuereApproves the Rule of St. Francis.[18]
1225 (June)Vineae Domini custodes
("Guardians of the vineyard of the Lord")
Grants two Dominican friars, Dominic of Segovia and Martin, authorisation for a mission to Morocco.
1228Mira Circa NosGregory IXCanonizing St. Francis of Assisi[19]
1230Quo elongatiResolved issues concerning the testament of Francis of Assisi.[20]
1231 (April 13)Parens scientiarum
("The Mother of Sciences")
Guarantees the independence of the University of Paris.
1232 (February 8)Ille humani generisInstructed the Dominican prior of Regensburg to form an Inquisitional tribunal.[21][22]
1233 (April 6)Etsi Judaeorum
("Even if the Jews")
Demands that Jews in Christian countries be treated with the same humanity with which Christians wish to be treated in heathen lands.[23]
1233 (June)Vox in Rama
("A voice in Ramah")
Calls for action against Luciferians, a sect of suspected Devil worshippers
1233Licet ad capiendosMarks the start of the Inquisition by the Church.
1233 (March 5)Sufficere debueratForbids Christians to dispute on matters of faith with Jews[24]
1234Pietati proximumConfirms Germanic Orders rule of Kulmerland.[25]
1234Rex pacificusAnnouncement of the Liber Extra, the collection of papal decretals.[26]
1234 (July 3)Fons SapientiaeCanonizes Saint Dominic[27]
1234 (November 17)Rachel suum vidensCalls for a crusade to the Holy Land and orders Dominicans and Franciscans to preach in favour of it.[28]
1235Cum hora undecima
("Since the eleventh hour")
First bull authorizing friars to preach to pagan nations.[29]
1239 (June 20)Si vera sunt
("If they are true")
Orders the seizure and examination of Jewish writings, especially the Talmud, suspected of blasphemies against Christ and the Church.[30]
1243Qui iustis causisInnocent IVOrders a crusade to the Baltic lands. Repeated 1256 and 1257.[31]
1244Impia judeorum perfidiaStated that Jews could not hire Christian nurses.[32]
1244 (March 9)Impia gensOrdering Talmud to be burned[33]
1245 (January 23)Terra Sancta Christi
("The holy land of Christ")
Calls for a crusade to the Holy Land.[34]
1245 (March 5)Dei patris immensa
("God the Father's immense...")
Exposition of the Christian faith, and urged Mongols to accept baptism.[35]
1245 (March 13)Cum non solum
("With not only...")
Appeal to the Mongols to desist from attacking Christians and other nations, and an enquiry as to their future intentions.[35] Innocent expresses desire for peace (possibly unaware that in the Mongol vocabulary, "peace" is a synonym for "subjection").[36]
1245 (March 20)Inter alia desiderabiliaCharges against Sancho II of Portugal[37]
1245 (late March)Cum simus superLetter addressed to multiple prelates and 'Christians of the East' which affirmed the primacy of the Roman Church and urged ecclesiastical unity.[38]
1245 (July 17)Ad Apostolicae Dignitatis Apicem
("To the highest point of apostolic dignity")
Ad Apostolicae Dignitatis Apicem was an apostolic letter issued against Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II by Pope Innocent IV (1243–54), during the Council of Lyon, 17 July 1245, the third year of his pontificate.
1245 (July 24)Grandi non immerito
("With good reason")
Removes Sancho II of Portugal from the throne, to be replaced by his brother Afonso, Count of Boulogne.
1246 (September 13)Ut pressi quondam [it]Concessio to the conversos the access to Orders
1247 (May 8)Divina justitia nequaquamAgainst blood libel Against Jews
1247 (July 5)Lachrymabilem JudaeorumUrged the end of persecution of the Jews based on the blood libel.[30]
1247 (October 1)Quae honorem conditoris omniumOn the rules of the Carmelite Order[39]
1248 (November 22)Viam agnoscere veritatis
("To know the way of truth")
Letter addressed to Baiju, king of the Mongols, in response to his embassy.[40]
1249De indulgencia xi dierumAn indulgence to all the faithful who visit the Shrine of St. Margaret in Scotland
1252 (May 15)Ad extirpanda
("For the elimination")
Authorizes the use of torture for eliciting confessions from heretics during the Inquisition and executing relapsed heretics by burning them alive.[41]
1254 (October 6)Querentes in agroRecognised the University of Oxford and "confirmed its liberties, ancient customs and approved statutes".[42]
1255Clara claris praeclara
("Clare outstandingly clear")
Alexander IVOn the canonization of St. Clare of Assisi[43]
1255 (April 6)Inter ea quae placita
("Among those pleasing")
Confirms the establishment of the University of Salamanca[44]
1255 (September 22)Dignum arbitramur
("We consider suitable")
Grants that degrees conferred by the University of Salamanca be valid everywhere[45]
1255 (April 14)Quasi lignum vitaeRejects all measures against dominican professors at the University of Paris; ends the numerus clausus for the chairs of theology.[46]
1256Ut negotiumAlexander IVAllowed the inquisitors to absolve each other for any "canonical irregularities in their important work".[47]
1258Quod super nonnullisAlexander IVOrdered all papal inquisitors to avoid investigating charges of divination and sorcery unless they also

“clearly savored of manifest heresy.”[48]

1263/1264Exultavit cor nostrum
("Our heart has rejoiced")
Urban IVLetter from Urban to Hulagu, discussing the arrival of Hulagu's (uncredentialed) envoy John the Hungarian, cautiously welcoming, and announcing that William II of Agen, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, would be investigating further.[49]
1264?Discussion of the Egyptian threat (no mention of Mongols).[49]
1260s (undated)Audi filia et
("Hear, O daughter, and")
Urban IV or
Clement IV
Caution to Queen Plaisance of Cyprus to cease her unchaste ways, and marry[50]
1260s (undated)De sinu patris
("The bosom of the Father")
Urban IV or
Clement IV
Admonishment to an unnamed nobleman to cease his adultery and return to his wife[50]
1265Licet EcclesiarumClement IVStated that appointments to all benefices were a papal prerogative.[51]
1265Parvus fonsStrengthened the general chapter of the Cistercians[52]
1267 (July 26)Turbato corde
("With disturbed heart")
Legally barred Christians from converting to Judaism.[53]
1272Gregory XConfirms the "Sicut Judæis"
1272 (July 7)"Letter on Jews"Against the Blood Libel[54]
1273 (April 20)Prae cunctis mentisSets the procedure for the Inquisition in France headed by the Dominicans.[55]
1274Ubi Periculum
("Where there is danger")
Established the papal conclave as the method of selection for a pope, imposing progressively stricter restrictions on cardinals the longer a conclave lasted to encourage a quick selection.
1278 (August 4)Vineam SorecNicholas IIIOrdering conversion sermons to Jews
1279Exiit qui seminatConfirming the rules of the Friar Minor[56]
1281Ad fructus uberesMartin IVGave Franciscan priests the right to preach and hear confession.[57]
1283ExultantesRelaxed the restrictions on poverty for Franciscans.[57]
1288Habet carissima filiaNicholas IVLetter sent to Christian women at the court of the Mongol Ilkhan[58]
1289Supra MotemOn the Rule of the Third Order of St. Francis[59]
1291 (January 30)Orat mater ecclesiaTo protect the Roman Jews from oppression
1291 (March)Prae cunctisAuthorized the Franciscans to start the inquisition in Bosnia.[60]
1291Gaudemus in DominoLetter sent to Arghun's third wife, Uruk Khatun, the mother of Nicholas (Oljeitu), Arghun's successor.[58]
1291Pastoralis officiiLetter sent to two young Mongol princes, Saron and Cassian, urging their conversion to Christianity.[58]
1296 (January 20)Redemptor mundi
("Redeemer of the world")
Boniface VIIINamed James II of Aragon as standardbearer, captain-general, and admiral of the Roman Church.
1296 (February 25)Clericis Laicos
("Lay clerics")
Excommunicates all members of the clergy who, without authorization from the Holy See, pay to laymen any part of their income or the revenue of the Church, and all rulers who receive such payments.[61]
1297Super rege et regina
("About king and queen")
Bestowed on James II of Aragon the Kingdom of Sardinia and Corsica.
1297Excelso thronoJacopo Colonna and Pietro Colonna, both cardinals, were excommunicated by Pope Boniface VIII for refusing to surrender their relative Stefano Colonna (who had seized and robbed the pope's nephew) and refusing to give the pope Palestrina along with two fortresses, which threatened the pope. This excommunication was extended in the same year to Jacopo's nephews and their heirs, after the two Colonna cardinals denounced the pope's election as invalid and appealed to a general council.[62]
1299 (June 13)Exhibita nobisDeclares Jews be included among persons who might be denounced to the Inquisition without the name of the accuser revealed[24]
1299 (June 27)Scimus, Fili
("We know, my son")
Challenged Edward I's claim to Scotland, stating the Scottish kingdom belonged to the apostolic see.[63]
1299De SepulturisProhibited Crusaders from dismembering and boiling of the bodies, known as Mos Teutonicus so that the bones, separated from the flesh, may be carried for burial in their own countries.[64]
1299Fuit olimDenounces any who supply arms, ammunition, and provisions to the Saracens[65]

Fourteenth century

YearBullIssuerDescription
1300 (22 February)Antiquorum habet fida relatioBoniface VIIIReinstates the Jubilee Years, granting indulgence during those years for those who fulfill various conditions.[66]
1302 (November 18)Unam Sanctam
("The One Holy")
Declares that there is no salvation outside the Church (Extra Ecclesiam nulla salus), and that the Church must remain united.
1303Excomminicamus et anathematazimusDirected against those who molest persons travelling to and from Rome[65]
1305Exivi de paradisoClement VOn the rules of the Friar Minor[67]
1307 (November 22)Pastoralis PraeeminentiaeOrders the arrest of the Knights Templar and the confiscation of their possessions.
1307 (July 23)Rex regnumNominates seven Franciscans to act as papal suffragans in China.[68]
1308Faciens misericordiam
("Granting forgiveness")
Sets out the procedure to prosecute the Knights Templar.
1308 (August 12)Regnans in caelis
("Reigning in heaven")
Convenes the Council of Vienne to discuss the Knights Templar.
1310 (April 4)Alma mater
("A nurturing mother")
Postpones the opening of the Council of Vienne until 1 October 1311, on account of the investigation of the Templars that was not yet finished.
1312 (March 22)Vox in excelso
("A voice from on high")
Disbands the Knights Templar.[69]
1312 (May 2)Ad providamGrants the bulk of Templar property on to the Knights Hospitallers.[70]
1312 (May 6)Considerantes dudumOutlined the disposition for members of the Knights Templar.[71]
1312 (May 6)Exivi de paradisoStated the conditions of Franciscan rule.[72]
1312 (May 16)Nuper in concilioGrants further Templar property to the Knights Hospitallers[73]
1312 (December 18)Licet dudumSuspends privileges and confirms the disposition of property of the Knights Templar.
1312 (December 31)Dudum in generali concilioFurther considerations as to the question of the Templars' property.
1313 (January 13)Licet pridemFurther considerations as to the question of the Templars' property.
1313Pastoralis CuraThe first legal expression of territorial sovereignty. ... Ruled that an emperor could not judge a king ... that public power was territorially confined.[74]
1317Sane ConsideranteJohn XXIIElevated the Diocese of Toulouse to Archbishop and created six new bishoprics.
1317Sancta RomanaAddressed the claim that the Franciscan Tuscan Spirituals had been authorized by Celestine V.[75]
1317 (March 31)Si FratrumNegates any imperial-bestowed titles that are not confirmed by the Pope.[76][77]
1317 (October)Quorundam exigitReiterated Clement V's bull, Exivi de paradiso, while stating that friars who disagreed with their superiors would not accuse them of violating Franciscan rule.[78][79]
1318 (January 23)Gloriosam ecclesiamThe Franciscan "Spirituals" of Tuscany are declared Donatist heretics and excommunicated.[80]
1318 (April 1)Redemptor noster
("Our redeemer")
Withdrew the Mongol Ilkhan's dominions and 'India' from the archdiocese of Khanbaligh, transferring to a Dominican province
1319 (March 14)Ad ea ex quibusCreated Portuguese Order of Christ.[81]
1322Quia nonnunquamFreedom of discussion in poverty controversy
1322Ad conditorem canonumContinuation of poverty controversy
1323Cum inter nonnullosDefines the belief in the poverty of Christ and the Apostles as heretical.[82]
1324Quia quorundamCondemned those who disagreed with Cum inter nonnullos[83]
1329Quia vir reprobus
1329In agro dominico
1333 (December 2)Summa providit altitudo consilii
1336Benedictus Deus
("On the beatific vision of God")
Benedict XIIDeclared that the saved see Heaven (and thus, God) before Judgement Day.[84]
1337 (August 29)Ex zelo fideiPromising inquiry into host-tragedy of Pulka
1338Exultanti precepimusLetter to Mongol ruler Ozbeg and his family, thanking them for having granted land to Franciscans to build a church[58]
1338Dundum ad notitiamLetter to Mongol ruler Ozbeg recommending ambassadors, and thanking Ozbeg for prior favors shown to missionaries[58]
1342Gratiam AgimusClement VIDeclared the Franciscan Order as the official Custodian of the Holy Land in the name of the Church.
1343 (January 27)Unigenitus Dei filiusJustified papal power to issue indulgences
1348 (September 26)Quamvis PerfidiamAn attempt to dispel the rumor that the Jews caused the Black Death by poisoning wells.
1350cum natura humana
1363Apostolatus Officium (sometimes known as In Coena Domini)[65]Urban VAgainst pirates, those who supply arms to Saracens, and those who intercept supplies intended for Rome
1372Excomminicamus et anathematazimusGregory XIExcommunicating forgers of Letters Apostolic
1383Quia sicutUrban VIRegarding ecclesiastical immunities

Fifteenth century

YearBullIssuerDescription
1409 (December 20)Alexander VOrder to suppress all the books of John Wycliffe in Bohemia.[85]
1413 (August 28)Confirmationis Privilegiorum Universitati Sancti AndreæBenedict XIIIGrants university status to the Augustinian society of higher learning in St Andrews, Fife, Scotland which became the University of St Andrews
1415 (May 11)Etsi doctoribus gentiumAgainst Talmud or any other Jewish book attacking Christianity
1417Bull against Talmud
1418Quod AntidotaMartin VExempt jurisdiction of Ecclesiastical courts
1418 (April 4)Sane charissimusAfter the seizure of Ceuta called on all to support John I of Portugal in his war against the Moors[86]
1420 (March 1)Omnium Plasmatoris DominiCalls for a crusade against followers of Jan Hus, John Wycliffe, and other heretics. It initiates the Hussite Wars.
1420 (November 25)Concessum JudaæisTo German Jews confirming their privileges
1420 (December 23)Licet Judæorum omniumIn favor of Austrian Jews[24]
1421To the Benedictine Abbey of St. Bertin at St. Omer, granting permission for the monks to elect their own confessors.[87]
1423 (June 3)Sedes apostolicaRenews law requiring Jews to wear badge
1425Sapientie immarcessibilisFoundation of the Old University of Leuven[88]
1425Mare AnglicanumConfirmed the bull Mare Magnum and gave Syon independence from Vadstena and the general order chapter house.[89]
1428Ad RepremendasSupreme jurisdiction of the Roman court
1429 (February 15)Quamquam JudæiPlaces Roman Jews under the general civic law, protects them from forcible baptism, and permits them to teach in the school
Etsi cunctis fideiEugene IVProhibited imposition of inordinately high dues on converted Canary islanders[86]
1434 (December 17)Creator OmniumOn slave raiding in the Canaries
1435Sicut DudumForbidding the slavery of converted local natives in the Canary Islands by Spanish and Portuguese slave traders.[90][91]
1437 (September 18)Doctoris gentiumTransfers the Council of Basel to Ferrara[92]
1437Praeclaris tuae
1439 (January)Transfers the Council of Ferrara to Florence because of the plague[93]
1439 (July 6)Laetentur Caeli
("Rejoicing of the Heavens")
Officially re-united the Roman Catholic Church with the Eastern Orthodox Churches. This agreement was quickly repudiated by most eastern bishops.[94]
1442 (February 4)Cantate Domino
("Sing praises to the Lord")
Part of an attempt by the Catholic Church to reunite with other Christian groups including the Coptic Church of Egypt.
1442 (August 8)Dundum ad nostram audientiamComplete separation of Jews and Christians (ghetto).
1442 (August 10)Super Gregem DominicumRevokes the privileges of the Castilian Jews and imposes severe restrictions on them. Forbids Castilian Christians to eat, drink, live or bathe with Jews or Muslims and declaring invalid the testimony of Jews or Muslims against Christians.[95]
1442 (December 19)Illius qui se pro diviniOn Henry of Portugal's crusade against the Saracens[96]
1443 (January 5)Rex regumTakes neutral position on territorial disputes between Portugal and Castile regarding rights claimed in Africa.[97]
1447 (June 23)Super Gregem DominicumNicholas VRe-issues Eugene IV's bull against Castilian Jews to Italy.[98][99]
1451 (January 7)Foundation of the University of Glasgow.[100]
1451 (March 1)Super Gregem DominicumThird issuance of Eugenius IV's bull. Confirms the earlier revocation of privileges and restrictions against Spanish and Italian Jews.[101][102]
1451 (September 21)Romanus pontifexRelieving the dukes of Austria from ecclesiastical censure for permitting Jews to dwell there
1452 (June 18)Dum diversasAuthorizes Afonso V of Portugal to reduce any Muslims, pagans, and other unbelievers to perpetual slavery.[103]
1453 (September 30)Etsi ecclesia ChristiCalls for a crusade to reverse the fall of Constantinople.[104]
1454 (January 8)Concedes to Afonso V all conquests in Africa from Cape Non to Guinea, with authorization to build churches[105]
1454 (January 8)Extended Portuguese dominion over all the seas from Africa to India.[105]
1455 (January 8)Romanus Pontifex
("The Roman pontiff")
Granting the Portuguese a perpetual monopoly in trade with Africa and allows the enslavement of natives.[106]
1455 (May 15)Ad summi apostolatus apicemCallixtus IIIConfirmed the bull Etsi ecclesia Christi.[107]
1456 (March 13)Inter CaeteraConfirmed the Bull Romanus Pontifex and gave the Portuguese Order of Christ the spiritualities of all lands acquired and to be acquired.[108]
1456 (June 20)Cum hiis superioribus annis and is titled Bulla TurcorumAnnounces the Fall of Constantinople and seeks funding for another crusade against the Turks.[109]
1458 (October 13)Vocavit nos piusPius IIInvites the European powers to the Congress of Mantua.[110]
1458Veram semper et solidamOrders the creation of the Order of Our Lady of Bethlehem to protect Christians in Greek waters from the Ottomans.[111]
1460 (January 14)Ecclesiam ChristiCalls for a three-year crusade against the Ottoman Empire.[112]
1460 (January 18)Execrabilis
("Execrable")
Prohibits appealing a papal judgment to a future general council.[113]
1462 (April 28)Cum almam nostram urbemProhibits the destruction or removal of the ancient ruins in Rome and Campagna.[114]
1463 (October 22)Ezechielis prophetaeCalls for a crusade against the Ottoman Empire.[115]
1470 (April 19)Ineffabilis providentia
("Ineffable Providence")
Paul IIDeclared that a Jubilee would take place every 25 years.
1476Regimini GregisSixtus IVThreatens to excommunicate all captains or pirates who enslave Christians
1478 (November 1)Exigit sinceræ devotionisAuthorized Ferdinand and Isabella to appoint inquisitors which created the Spanish Inquisition.[116]
1481 (April 8)Cogimur jubente altissimoCalls for a crusade against the Ottoman Empire.[117]
1481 (June 21)Aeterni regisConfirms the Treaty of Alcáçovas.[118]
1482 (April 14)Superna caelestisBy which Bl. Bonaventure, Is registered in the Canon of the Saints
1482 (August 2)Ad Perpetuam Rei memoriamOrdered humanitarian reforms to the Spanish Inquisition.[119][120]
1484 (December 5)Summis desiderantesInnocent VIIICondemns an alleged outbreak of witchcraft and heresy in the region of the Rhine River valley, and deputizes Heinrich Kramer and Jacob Sprenger as inquisitors to root out alleged witchcraft in Germany.
1486 (July 12)Catholice fidei defensionemGrants plenary indulgences to whoever took part in Casimir IV Jagiellon's war against the Ottoman Empire.[121]
1487 (April 27)Id Nostri CordisOrdered execution of waldenses and indulgences to those who took part.[122]
1487 (November 13)Universo pene orbiCalls for a crusade against the Ottoman Empire.[123]
1491Officii nostri(This may be a confusion with the decretal of Innocent III of the same name.)
1493 (May 3)Eximiae devotionisAlexander VIAccords to Spain recognition of the same rights and privileges regarding lands discovered in the west as had been previously confirmed to Portugal in the east.
1493 (May 4)Inter caetera
("Among the other")
On the division of the "undiscovered world" between Spain and Portugal, beginning with the lands visited by Columbus.
1493 (June 25)Piis FideliumGrants Spain vicarial power to appoint missionaries to the Indies.
1493 (September 26)Dudum siquidemTerritorial grants supplemental to Inter caetera
1495 (February 10)Primo Erectio Universitatis[124]Foundation of the University of Aberdeen.[125]
1497 (October 15)Ad sacram ordinisThe ancient custom of selecting the Prefect of the Apostolic Chapel from the Augustinian Order was given legal foundation.[126]

Sixteenth century

YearBullIssuerDescription
1500 (June 1)Quamvis ad ampliandaAlexander VICalls for a crusade against the Ottoman Empire in response to Ottoman invasions of Venetian territories in Greece.[127]
1506 (January 24)Ea quae pro bono pacisJulius IIApproval of the Treaty of Tordesillas by the Catholic Church
1509Suspecti RegiminisProhibiting appeals to future councils
1509Pontifex Romanis PacisAgainst plunderers of shipwrecks
1511Pax Romana
("Roman Peace"/"Peace of Rome")
To stop the feuding between the Orsini and Colonna families[128]
1511Consueverunt
1513 (December 19)Apostolici RegiminisLeo XConcerning immortality of the soul.[129]
1514 (March 22)Sincerae devotionis
1514Precelse denotionis
("Especially the description")
Renewed Dum Diversas of 1452
1514Supernæ dispositionis arbitrioCalls for reform of the curia and declares that cardinals should come immediately after the pope in the ecclesiastical hierarchy.
1515 (May 4)Regimini UniversalisRequires that metropolitan bishops hold a provincial synod every three years.
1515 (July 19)Salvatoris NostriRoman hospitals, S. Maria del Popolo and S. Giacomo and Tridente.[130]
1516 (May 19)Illius qui in altis habitatRoman hospitals.
1516 (June 16)De Supernae dispositionis arbitrioFunding of San Giacomo hospital throughout enfiteusis
1516 (December 19)Pastor aeternusDeclared the Pragmatic Sanction of Bourges null and void.[131]
1517 (May 29)Ite vosOrder of Friars Minor[132]
1518 (November 9)Cum PostquamDecretal on indulgences[133]
1519Supremo
1520 (June 15)Exsurge Domine
("Arise, O Lord")
Demands that Martin Luther retract 41 of his 95 theses, as well as other specified errors, within sixty days of its publication in neighbouring regions to Saxony.
1521 (January 3)Decet Romanum Pontificem
("[It] befits [the] Roman Pontiff")
Excommunicates Martin Luther.[134]
1522 (May 10)Exponi nobis nuper fecistiAdrian VIGrants sweeping authority to mendicant orders in the New World
1529 (May 8)Intra ArcanaClement VIIGrant of permissions and privileges to Emperor Charles V and the Spanish Empire, which included patronage power over their lands in the Americas.[135]
1533 (April 7)Sempiterno regiClement VIIPartial condemnation of the forced baptism of Portuguese Jews, and general pardon to New Christians.[136]
1533Romanus Pontifex
1536 (May 23)Cum ad nihil magisPaul IIIIntroduces Inquisition into Portugal.[137]
1537 (May 29)Sublimis DeusPaul IIIForbids the enslavement of the indigenous peoples of the Americas.
1538 (October 28)In apostolatus culmine
1540 (May 12)Licet JudæiAgainst blood libel
1540 (September 27)Regimini militantis ecclesiae
("To the Government of the Church Militant")
Approves the formation of the Society of Jesus.[138]
1542Cupientes iudaeosConverts from Judaism are guaranteed citizenship at their place of baptism.[139]
1542 (July 21)Licet ab initioInstitution of the Congregation of the Holy Office of the Inquisition.[140]
1543 (March 14)Injunctum nobisRepealed a clause in the Regimini militantis ecclesiae which had only allowed the Society of Jesus sixty members.[141]
1550 (July 21)Exposcit debitum
("The Duty demands")
Julius IIISecond and final approval of the Society of Jesus
1551 (February 25)Super specula militantis Ecclesiae
("Upon the watchtower of the Church Militant")
Ended the status of Funchal as the largest diocese in the world, creating new bishoprics throughout the Portuguese Empire at Salvador &c.
1553 (April 28)Divina disponente clementia
("So predisposed by the divine clemency")
Create Shimun VIII Yohannan Sulaqa the first patriarch of the Chaldean Catholic Church.
1554 (August 31)Pastoris æterni vicesImposes tax of ten gold ducats on two out of the 115 synagogues in the Papal States
1555 (June 20)Praeclara CarissimiPaul IVConsisted of two parts. Confirmed the sale of church lands under Henry VIII of England and imposed the reordination of all clerics consecrated during Henry VIII and Edward VI of England.[142]
1555 (July 14)Cum nimis absurdum
("Since it is absurd")
Places religious and economic restrictions on Jews in the Papal States.[143]
1559 (February 15)Cum ex apostolatus officio
("By virtue of the apostolic office")
Confirms that only Catholics can be elected Popes.
1560 (January 19)Ad caritatis et misericordiae operaPius IVRoman hospital of San Giacomo degli Incurabili.
1564Dominici Gregis CustodiaeContaining the rules for forbidding books[1]
1564 (January 26)Benedictus Deus
("Blessed God")
Ratified all decrees and definitions of the Council of Trent.[144]
1565 (January 17)Æquum reputamus
("We consider it equal")
Pius V
1566Cum nobis ex parteReiterates condemnation of those who plunder shipwrecks
1567Ex omnibus afflictionibusCondemns 79 statements made by Michael Baius[145]
1567Etsi Dominici gregisForbids the sale of Indulgences[146]
1567 (January 19)Cum nos nuperOrders Jews to sell all property in Papal States
1568 (June 7)Quod a nobisModified the Roman Breviary
1569 (February)Hebraeorum gens solaRestricted Jews in the Papal States to Rome and Ancona.[147]
1569 (August 27)Magnus Dux EtruriaeElevated Cosimo I de' Medici to Grand Duke of Tuscany.[148]
1569 (September 17)Consueverunt Romani PontificesOn the power of the Rosary
1570 (February 25)Regnans in excelsis
("Ruling from on high")
Declares Elizabeth I of England a heretic and releases her subjects from any allegiance to her.[149]
1570 (July 14)Quo primum
("From the first")
Promulgates the Roman Missal (Tridentine Mass), and forbids use of other Latin liturgical rites that cannot demonstrate two hundred year of continuous use.
1572 (September 16)Cristiani PopuliGregory XIIIFoundation of Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus
1572 (November 13)Pro Commissa NobisDispositions about Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus
1574Ad Romani Pontificis
1581 (March 30)Multos adhuc ex ChristianisRenews Church law against Jewish physicians
1581 (June 1)Antiqua Judæorum improbitasGives jurisdiction over Jews of Rome to Inquisition in cases of blasphemy, protection of heretics, possession of forbidden works, employment of Christian servants
1582 (February 24)Inter gravissimas
("Among the most important")
Establishes the Gregorian calendar.
1584 (May 24)Ascendente DominoConfirms the constitution of the Society of Jesus.
1584 (September 1)Sancta mater ecclesiaOrdered that the gospels be preached in Roman synagogues.[150]
1586 (January 5)Coeli et terrae
("The heavens and the lands")
Sixtus VCondemned "judicial astrology" as superstitious.
1586 (October)Christiana pietas
("Christian piety")
Allowed Jews to settle in the Papal States, revoking Pius V's 1569 bull, Hebraeorum gens sola.[151]
1588 (February 11)Immensa Aeterni Dei
("The immense [wisdom] of Eternal God")
Reorganized the Roman Curia, establishing several permanent congregations to advise the Pope.[152]
1588 (October 29)Effraenatam
("The unbridled [audacity and daring]") -- a.k.a. Against Those Who Procure
Declares that the canonical penalty of excommunication would be levied for any form of contraception and for abortion at any stage of fetal development.
1588Triumphantis HierusalemOfficially elevates St. Bonaventure to the status of Doctor of the Church[153]
1591 (April 18)Cum SicutiGregory XIVDecrees the emancipation of all indigenous slaves in the Philippines.[154]
1592 (February 28)Cum sæpe accidereClement VIIIForbidding Jews to deal in new commodities
1593Caeca et Obdurata
("The Blind and Obdurate")
Expelled the Jews from the Papal States.
1593Pastoralis

Seventeenth century

YearBullIssuerDescription
1603 (February 3)Dominici gregisClement VIIIMarian piety as the basis of the Church. Upheld the perpetual virginity of Mary.[155]
1604 (August 23)In favor of Portuguese Maranos
1631Contra astrologos iudiciariosUrban VIIICondemns astrological predictions of the deaths of princes and popes.[156]
1639 (April 22)Commissum nobisReaffirms "Sublimus Dei" forbidding enslavement of indigenous people
1641 (6 March)In eminenti Ecclesiae militantisCensures Jansenist publications.[157]
1644Grants pilgrims to the Jesuit mission at Sainte-Marie among the Hurons "a Plenary Indulgence each year and the remission of all their sins."[158]
1653 (May 31)Cum occasioneInnocent XCondemns 5 Jansenist propositions.[159]
1658 (Nov. 15)Ad ea per quaeAlexander VIIOrders Roman Jews to pay rent even for unoccupied houses in ghetto, because Jews would not hire houses from which Jews had been evicted
1659Super cathedram Principis ApostolorumEstablishing the Catholic mission in Vietnam
1664Speculatores domus IsraelIntroducing the new edition of the Index of Forbidden Books
1665Ad sacram
("To the sacred")
Confirms bull Cum occasione and further condemns Jansenism[160]
1676 (November 16)Inter Pastoralis Officii CurasInnocent XIEstablishes Salvador as independent of Lisbon and as primate over Brazil, Congo, and Angola
1687Coelestis PastorCondemns Quietism as heresy.
1692Romanum decet Pontificem
("It befits the Roman Pontiff")
Innocent XIIAbolished the office of Cardinal-Nephew[161]

Eighteenth century

YearBullIssuerDescription
1713Unigenitus
("The only-begotten")
Clement XICondemns Jansenism.
1715 (Mar. 19)Ex illa dieChinese customs and traditions that are not contradictory to Roman Catholicism will be allowed, while ones clearly contradictory to it will not be tolerated.
1737 (Dec. 17)Inter praecipuas apostolici ministerii
("Among the main attributes of the Apostolate")
Determines that whoever is elected Patriarch of Lisbon is to be elevated to the dignity of cardinal in the first consistory following their election.
1738In eminenti apostolatus specula
("In the high watchtower of the Apostolate")
Bans Catholics from becoming Freemasons.
1740 (Dec. 13)Salvatoris nostri Mater
("The Mother of Our Saviour")
Benedict XIVSuppresses the vacant Metropolitan Archdiocese of Eastern Lisbon and merges it with the Patriarchate of Lisbon; grants the canons of the cathedral chapter the title of Principal.
1741 (Feb. 23)Apostolicae Servitutis
("Apostolic Servitude")
Forbids members of the clergy from engaging in worldly pursuits such as business.
1741 (Dec. 20)Immensa Pastorum PrincipisAgainst the enslavement of the indigenous peoples of the Americas, in particular of Brazil, and of the other places.
1747 (Feb. 28)Postremo mense superioris anniConfirms decision of Roman Curia of October 22, 1597, that a Jewish child, once baptized, even against canonical law, must be brought up under Christian influences and removed from its parents
1755Beatus Andreas
("Blessed Andreas")
Beatified child martyr Andreas Oxner, said in a blood libel accusation to have been murdered by Jews in 1462.[162]
1773Dominus ac Redemptor noster
("Our Master and Redeemer")
Clement XIVOrdered the suppression of the Society of Jesus.
1794 (August 28)Auctorem Fidei[163]Pius VICondemning the Gallicanism and Jansenism of the Synod of Pistoia.

Nineteenth century

YearBullIssuerDescription
1809 (June 10)Quum memorandaPius VIIExcommunicated Napoleon Bonaparte and anyone who contributed to the annexation of the Papal States and overthrow of the Holy See's temporal power by the First French Empire
1814Sollicitudo omnium ecclesiarum
("The care of all the churches")
Reestablishes the Society of Jesus.
1824Quod divina sapientia
("What divine wisdom")
Leo XIIRestructures education in the Papal States under ecclesiastical supervision.
1831Sollicitudo ecclesiarumGregory XVIThat in the event of a change of government, the church would negotiate with the new government for placement of bishops and vacant dioceses.[164]
1850 (September 29)Universalis Ecclesiae
("Of the Universal Church")
Pius IXRecreates the Roman Catholic hierarchy in England.
1853 (March 4)[165]Ex qua die arcano
("From the very day when by the secret [counsels]...")
Reestablishment of the episcopal hierarchy in the Netherlands
1854Ineffabilis DeusDefined the dogma of the Immaculate Conception
1866 (July 12)Reversurus
("To come back")
Extends to the Armenian Catholic Church the Western provisions about appointment of bishops.
1868 (June 29)Aeterni Patris
("Of the Eternal Father")
Summons First Vatican Council.
1869 (October 12)Apostolicæ Sedis moderationi
("To the guidance of the Apostolic See")
Regulates the system of censures and reservations in the Catholic Church.
1871Pastor aeternus
("The eternal shepherd")
Defines papal infallibility.
1880 (July 13)Dolemus inter alia
("Among other things, we lament")
Leo XIIIReinstates the privileges of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits), nullifying the bull Dominus ac Redemptor Noster of 21 July 1773.[166]
1884 (November 1)Omnipotens Deus
("God Almighty")
Accepted the authenticity of the relics at Compostela, Galicia, Spain.
1896Apostolicae curae
("Of the Apostolic care")
Declares all Anglican Holy Orders null and void.

Twentieth century

YearBullIssuerDescription
1910Quam singulari
("How special")
Pius XAllows the admittance of Communion to children who have reached the age of reason (about seven years old).[167]
1930Ad Christi nomenPius XICreated the Diocese of Vijayapuram.
1949Jubilaeum Maximum
("Great jubilee")
Pius XIIAnnouncement of 1950 as a Holy Year
1950 (November 1)Munificentissimus Deus
("The most bountiful God")
Defines the dogma of the Assumption of Mary.[168]
1961 (December 25)Humanae salutis
("Of human salvation")
John XXIIISummons Second Vatican Council.
1998 (November 29)Incarnationis mysterium
("The mystery of the Incarnation")
John Paul IIIndiction of the Great Jubilee of 2000

Twenty-first century

YearBullIssuerDescription
2015 (April 11)Misericordiae vultus
("The Face of Mercy")
FrancisIndiction of a Holy Year: The Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy 2015-2016

Also note In Coena Domini ("At the Lord's dinner"), a recurrent papal bull issued annually between 1363 and 1770, at first on Holy Thursday, later on Easter Monday.

References

Sources

  • Anderson, C. Colt (2012). "The Six Errors: Hus on Simony". In Bellitto, Christopher M.; Flanagin, David Zachariah (eds.). Reassessing Reform: A Historical Investigation into Church Renewal. The Catholic University of America Press.
  • Bagliani, Agostino Paravincini (2002). "Gregory IX". In Levillain, Philippe (ed.). The Papacy. Vol. 2:Gaius-Proxies. Routledge.
  • Bagliani, Agostino Paravincini (2002a). "Honorius III". In Levillain, Philippe (ed.). The Papacy. Vol. 2:Gaius-Proxies. Routledge.
  • Bernecker, Walther L.; Herbers, Klaus (2013). Geschichte Portugals. Verlag W. Kohlhammer.
  • Biller, Peter; Bruschi, C.; Sneddon, S., eds. (2011). Inquisitors and Heretics in Thirteenth-Century Languedoc: Edition and Translation of Toulouse Inquisition Depositions, 1273-1282. Brill.
  • Biller, Peter (2022). "Helping the Poor and Healing the Sick". In Benedetti, Marina; Cameron, Euan (eds.). A Companion to the Waldenses in the Middle Ages. Brill. pp. 422–444.
  • Maxwell, John Francis (1975). Slavery and the Catholic Church : The history of catholic teaching concerning the moral legitimacy of the institution of slavery. Barry Rose Publishers.
  • Nielsen, Torben K. (2016). "Celestine III and the North". In Doran, John; Smith, Damian J. (eds.). Pope Celestine III (1191-1198): Diplomat and Pastor. Routledge. pp. 159–178.
  • Oakley, Francis (1985). The Western Church in the Later Middle Ages. Cornell University Press.
  • Prudlo, Donald S. (2015). Certain Sainthood: Canonization and the Origins of Papal Infallibility in. Cornell University Press.
  • Rothman, E. Natalie (2012). Brokering Empire: Trans-Imperial Subjects Between Venice and Istanbul. Cornell University Press.

External links