Tiers

A tier says what kind of act a document is. It does not rank the truth of what it says. Shape and label travel together, so the catalogue can be read without relying on color.

1. Ecumenical Council

   Acts of the Second Vatican Council: its constitutions, decrees, declarations, and the message addressed to the world.

   17 documents

2. Pope

   Encyclicals, constitutions, exhortations, letters, motu proprio, and addresses of the pope.

   450 documents

3. Roman Curia

   Documents of the dicasteries of the Roman Curia, and typical editions of the reformed rites.

   236 documents

4. Theological & Biblical Commissions

   Texts of the International Theological Commission and the Pontifical Biblical Commission. Not magisterial.

   41 documents

5. Synod of Bishops

   Final texts of the Synod of Bishops. Consultative unless the pope ratifies them.

   52 documents

6. Bishops' Conferences

   Episcopal conferences and other regional bodies of bishops.

   100 documents

7. Diocesan Bishops

   Documents of diocesan bishops and diocesan synods.

   40 documents

8. Ecumenical & Interreligious Dialogue

   Joint declarations and dialogue texts received with ecumenical or interreligious partners.

   82 documents

9. Ecclesial Initiatives

   Universities, institutes, movements, and religious institutes. Not magisterial.

   24 documents