Catholic Dictionary

Find accurate definitions of over 5,000 Catholic terms and phrases (including abbreviations). Based on Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.

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PLENARY COUNCIL

A formal meeting of the archbishops and bishops of a country or region under the leadership of a papal legate, who would decide matters to be considered and ratify the council's decrees. The decrees are binding on all the faithful under the jurisdiction of the bishops assembled. In the Church's history the decisions of some plenary councils were later extended to the universal Church. (Etym. Latin plenus, full.)