“Constitution” is a legal term with significance both for legislation and for the theory of norms (Law). It is used not only in connection with political states (i.e., governing the manner in which sovereign power is distributed) but also in Roman Catholic law (church law).

1. A constitution is a technical, legal way of publishing universal church legislation (Jurisdiction, Ecclesiastical). Along with the motu proprio, the apostolic constitution issues basic papal laws (Pope, Papacy). The conciliar constitution (Councils of the Church) is a legal resolution on the part of …