1. 
   decretals
   decretals: see canon law.
   Found op http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/society/A0912437.html
   
   
2. 
   Decretals
   Eccles. Law. The decretals are canononical epistles, written by the pope alone, or by the pope and cardinals, at the instance or suit of some one or more persons, for the ordering and determining some matter in controversy, and have the authority of a law in themselves.
   Found op http://www.lectlaw.com/def/d110.htm
   
   
3. 
   Decretals
   Decretals, is a general name for the Papal decrees, comprehending the rescripts (answers to inquiries and petitions), decrees (judicial decisions by the Rota Romana), mandates (official instructions for ecclesiastical officers, courts, etc), edicts (Papal ordinances in general), and general resoluti...
   Found op http://www.probertencyclopaedia.com/browse/AD.HTM
   
   

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