What Is Canon Law? Definition, Sources and Scope

Canon law definition

Canon law refers to the body of ecclesiastical law that developed within Christianity, particularly Roman Catholicism, governing the internal hierarchy and administration of the church.

Cornell LII Wex, “canon law”

The older Catholic Encyclopedia (1910) defines it as “the body of laws and regulations made by or adopted by ecclesiastical authority, for the government of the Christian organization and its members.” In short, that is the basic definition of canon law. The word “canon” comes from the Greek kanon, a rule or measuring rod.

Sources of canon law

• Scripture and early church practice. The earliest canons were rules adopted by church councils.
• Councils. Ecumenical and regional councils issued canons on doctrine, worship and discipline.
• Papal decretals. Letters of popes answering legal questions became binding law.
• Roman law. Church lawyers borrowed much of their method and vocabulary from Roman law.

Wex notes that canon law covers the church’s hierarchy and administration, ceremonies, clergy, religious education, discipline and litigation within church jurisdiction.

Whom it binds

The canons of this Code regard only the Latin Church.

1983 Code of Canon Law, c. 1

The Eastern Catholic Churches follow a separate code. Other churches, such as the Church of England, the Episcopal Church and the Orthodox churches, keep their own canons. In each case, canon law binds members as a matter of religious belonging. It is not enforced by the state.

Canon law and civil law

In the United States, canon law has no force as civil law. Civil courts do not enforce it as such. Still, the First Amendment protects a church’s right to govern itself by its own rules, and courts defer to church tribunals on religious questions. See canon law and American courts.

Researching canon law definition in your state

To research canon law definition for a real matter, start with the primary sources. For example, read the statute, the rule and the documents in your own file. Then look for recent appellate decisions from your state, because they control how local courts read the law. After that, compare what you found with the federal rules that may also apply. Our state procedures guide and the Research Center can help you find and check each source.

Sources and further reading

Official sources used on this page:

• law.cornell.edu
• newadvent.org
• vatican.va

Related reading on Lawtopolis:

• History of Canon Law: Gratian, the Corpus Iuris Canonici and the Codes
• The 1983 Code of Canon Law: Structure and Key Canons
• Canon Law and American Courts: Church Autonomy and the Ministerial Exception