Ex Corde Ecclesiae (English: From the Heart of the Church) is an Apostolic constitution written by Pope John Paul II regarding Catholic colleges and universities. Promulgated on August 15, 1990 and intended to become effective in the academic year starting in 1991, its aim was to define and refine the Catholicism of Catholic institutions of higher education. Institutions newly claiming to be Catholic would require affirmation from "the Holy See, by an Episcopal Conference or another Assembly of Catholic Hierarchy, or by a diocesan Bishop". Institutions currently claiming to be Catholic are considered Catholic unless declared otherwise by the same. The document cites canon 810, which instructs Catholic educational facilities to respect norms established by local bishops.