Abstract
This article examines the internal regulation of religious organisations in terms of their law, order or polity. It offers a systematic comparative analysis of how different Christian traditions structure and regulate themselves. The resultant legal frameworks are expressive of the institutional self-understanding of particular churches and, as such, are a form of applied ecclesiology. The paper draws upon two ongoing research studies: the Colloquium of Anglican and Roman Catholic Canon Lawyers and the Christian Law Panel of Experts, the latter having submitted a detailed submission to the World Council of Churches’ Faith and Order Commission giving a legal critique of its recent document ‘Towards a Common Vision’. Through a detailed methodical and comparative analysis of the various structural and regulatory formulae adopted by the different branches of the Christian family, profound similarities are discernible that are redolent with deeper theological significance. This research represents an emergent platform capable of being utilised within the ecumenical endeavour to give traction in the movement towards greater visible unity in the 21st century.
Highlights
Through his systematic and sustained scholarship, Professor Graham Duncan has made a profound and lasting contribution to the understanding of church history and church polity
Church law exhibits all three qualities – it is the product of theological reflection; it translates theology into practical norms of action; and its pastoral quality is evident in the principle that juridical norms are the servant of the community of the faithful seeking to enable and order life in witness to Christ (Doe 2012b:195–234)
Norms may enable church members to share in spiritual activities such as common prayer, spiritual exercises, funerals, and in mission and social justice initiatives
Summary
Through his systematic and sustained scholarship, Professor Graham Duncan has made a profound and lasting contribution to the understanding of church history and church polity. Church law exhibits all three qualities – it is the product of theological reflection; it translates theology into practical norms of action; and its pastoral quality is evident in the principle that juridical norms are the servant of the community of the faithful seeking to enable and order life in witness to Christ (Doe 2012b:195–234).
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