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Religious Studies & Theology vocabulary · Religious Ethics and Law

Canon law

Meaning in religious studies & theology, with examples

/ˌkænən ˈlɔː/nounAdvanced term

In religious studies & theology, canon law means: The body of laws and regulations made by church authorities to govern a Christian church, especially the Catholic Church, its clergy and its members.

In Turkish: kanon hukuku, kilise hukuku

How it is used

Covers topics such as marriage, the sacraments, church offices and discipline. The current Catholic Code of Canon Law dates from 1983; Orthodox and Anglican churches also have canon law based on council decisions. A specialist is a canonist.

Example sentences

  1. Under canon law, a Catholic marriage can be declared null in certain circumstances.

  2. The current Code of Canon Law of the Catholic Church was promulgated in 1983.

Common collocations

  • Code of Canon Law
  • under canon law
  • canon law and civil law
  • study canon law
  • canonThe official list of books that a religious community accepts as authoritative scripture, such as the biblical canon; also a rule or decree made by a church council.
  • CatholicismThe faith, teaching and practice of the Catholic Church, the largest Christian church, which is led by the Pope as Bishop of Rome.
  • shariaIn Islam, the divine law and guidance for all areas of life, which Muslim jurists interpret through the Qur'an, the sunna and methods of legal reasoning.
  • sacramentIn Christianity, a sacred rite believed to be a visible sign through which God's grace is given, such as baptism and the Eucharist.

More terms: Religious Ethics and Law

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