Key Terms in Catholic Church Governance and Doctrine

Magisterium

The teaching authority of the Roman Catholic Church, especially as exercised by bishops or the Pope; in fantasy, often refers to a governing or magical body.

Doctrine

A belief or set of beliefs held and taught by a Church or other authoritative group.

Catechism

A summary of principles, often in question-and-answer form, used for religious teaching.

Dogma

A principle or set of principles laid down by an authority as incontrovertibly true.

ex cathedra

Latin for 'from the chair'; used to describe official, infallible papal declarations.

Clerical

Relating to clergy or the formal religious order.

Hierocracy

Rule or government by priests or clergy.

Canon Law

The body of laws and regulations developed or adopted by ecclesiastical authority.

Ecclesiastical

Relating to the Christian Church or its clergy.

Scholasticism

A medieval system of theology and philosophy based on Aristotelian logic and writings of the Church Fathers.

Conclave

A private meeting or assembly, particularly the gathering of cardinals to elect a new Pope.

Cardinal

A high-ranking official in the Catholic Church who is eligible to vote in a papal conclave.

Sede Vacante

Latin for 'the seat being vacant'; the period between two papacies.

Ballot

A process of voting, especially in secret; used in conclave to elect a Pope.

White smoke (fumata bianca)

The signal that a new Pope has been elected, produced by burning the ballots with special chemicals.

Black smoke (fumata nera)

The signal that a vote has not resulted in an election.

Dean of the College of Cardinals

The presiding cardinal of the College who announces the new pope.

Habemus Papam

Latin for 'We have a Pope'; the announcement given after a successful papal election.

Papal Bull

An official edict or public decree issued by a pope.

Pontiff

Another title for the pope, meaning 'bridge-builder.'