Bull for the See of Charleston

An apostolic or papal bull is a decree issued by the pope of the Roman Catholic Church.  The word "bull" comes from the Latin bulla which means seal.  It is named for the lead seal affixed to the end of the document.  The 1820 Bull of Erection for the Diocese of Charleston was the official decree in which the Diocese of Charleston was formed.  Pope Pius VII gave the bull to Bishop John England.

Credits

The images are from the Archdiocese of Baltimore Archives, Associated Archives at St. Mary's Seminary & University, found in the following collection: Archbishops’ Papers, General, Special B Collection, Roman Documents, 1783-1863, pp. 25-27.