Jus novum (c. 1140-1563) Jus novissimum (c. 1563-1918) Jus codicis (1918-present) Other Sacraments Sacramentals Sacred places Sacred times Supra-diocesan/eparchal structures Particular churches Juridic persons Philosophy, theology, and fundamental theory of Catholic canon law Clerics Office Juridic and physical persons Associations of the faithful Pars dynamica (trial procedure) Canonization Election of the Roman Pontiff Academic degrees Journals and Professional Societies Faculties of canon law Canonists Institute of consecrated life Society of apostolic life In Catholicism, "of pontifical right" is the term given to ecclesiastical institutions (religious and secular institutes, societies of apostolic life) either created by the Holy See, or approved by it with the formal decree known by the Latin name decretum laudis ('decree of praise').
[2] The institutions of pontifical right depend immediately and exclusively on the Holy See on matters of internal governance and discipline.
[4] In 1215, in the Fourth Lateran Council, Pope Innocent III decreed that no regular orders could be founded without papal approval.
The bishops, however, retained the right to form communities whose members lived the religious life without taking formal vows.
[5] With this new procedure, the distinction was formally made for the creation of an institute, operated by a bishop, and its approval by the Holy See.