In addition, pastoral letters set policy for the church's national agencies.
What impact this pastoral letter has had in challenging these three groups is open to debate.
In an earlier, more vivid version of the pastoral letter, many women were quoted.
He published a pastoral letter in 1783 condemning the practice.
An encyclical is a pastoral letter to the entire church.
The pastoral letter, issued early this month, rattled the state's political leaders.
In 1985, a committee of seven bishops was established to review the 1983 pastoral letter.
But others said the pastoral letter would have little effect.
Cardinal Cooke had a pastoral letter read in every church.
The 6,000-word pastoral letter is part of this planning, which began over a year ago.