Canon law

Canon Law is the body of laws and regulations made by ecclesiastical authority (Church leadership), for the government of a Christian organization or church and its members. It is the internal ecclesiastical law, or operational policy, governing the Catholic Church (both the Latin Church and the Eastern Catholic Churches), the Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox churches, and the individual national churches within the Anglican Communion. The way that such church law is legislated, interpreted and at times adjudicated varies widely among these three bodies of churches. In all three traditions, a canon was originally a rule adopted by a church council; these canons formed the foundation of canon law.

History

Canon law as a legal system originated around the middle of the first century. The term "canon" comes from the Greek word kanon, which refers to a straight measuring rod. Early Christianity regarded itself as part of a wider Jewish community and early Christians continued to use the Jewish scriptures, or Old Testament as it is known in Christianity.

Sources of Canon Law

The sources of canon law can be divided into: the Sacred Scripture, the Sacred Tradition, the liturgy, the writings of the Church Fathers, and the canon law itself.

Application

Canon law covers a range of issues, including the process of religious service, criteria for baptism, funerals, prohibition of certain actions, and the clergy's ability to marry.

See Also

• Ecclesiastical law
• Church Fathers
• Sacred Scripture
• Sacred Tradition
• Liturgy