What is the difference between..?

[winsome]

What is the difference between an Encyclical, an Apostolic Letter, an Apostolic Constitution and an Apostolic Exhortation?

 

[ProScribe]

What is the difference between an Encyclical, an Apostolic Letter, an Apostolic Constitution and an Apostolic Exhortation?

Each of the above are intended to address specific things in the context appropriate to whom the above are addressed to.

(the audience) those who hear by oratory sermon and exhortation. And the above address to readers receive the encyclicals and apostolic letters.

hope this helps.

 

[winsome]

Each of the above are intended to address specific things in the context appropriate to whom the above are addressed to.

(the audience) those who hear by oratory sermon and exhortation. And the above address to readers receive the encyclicals and apostolic letters.

hope this helps.

Not really, they are all documents issued by Popes. I assume there must be a difference or why name them differently. There doesn't seem to be any consistency in who they are addressed to.

For example the Encyclical Fides et Ratio is addressed To the Bishops of the Catholic Church.

The Encyclical Ecclesia de Eucharistica doesn't seem to be addressed to anyone.

The Encyclical Evangelium Vitae is addressed To the Bishops Priests and Deacons Men and Women religious lay Faithful and all People of Good Will

The Apostoilic Exhortation Ecclesia in Europa is addressed TO THE BISHOPS MEN AND WOMEN IN THE CONSECRATED LIFE
AND ALL THE LAY FAITHFUL

The Apostolic Letter Novo Millennio Ineunte is addressed TO THE BISHOPS CLERGY AND LAY FAITHFUL

(all from John Paul II)