Canon Law in the Anglican Communion: A Worldwide Perspective

There is no recognized corpus of binding law globally applicable to all Churches in the Anglican Communion. Ostensibly, each Church is autonomous, free to make rules to facilitate and to order its internal life. This book, which is global in scope and will be of interest throughout the world, makes available for the first time a comparative study of the Constitutions, Canons, and other forms of law of Churches in the worldwide Anglican Communion. Does analysis draws out the similarities and differences between them and, from the coincidence of actual laws and from global ecclesiastical conventions enunciated by the Lambeth Conference, he elucidates the global principles of Anglican canon law that may apply to all Churches in the Communion. The subjects examined include: government; ministry; doctrine and liturgy; rites; property; inter-church relations; and ecumenism. Does thorough and practical analysis of a hitherto under-explored subject is placed squarely within its jurisprudential and theological context, and will be welcomed by both practitioners and scholars. For those within the Anglican Communion, his book offers a wealth of information enabling individual Churches to see how fellow Churches are organized. For those without, the book provides a valuable insight into Anglican government and law.

Table of secular legislation ; Table of cases ; Introduction ; 1. Churches, States and Laws ; 2. The Institutional Organization of Churches ; 3. The Resolution of Ecclesiastical Conflict ; 4. Archbishops and Bishops ; 5. The Ministry of Priests and Deacons ; 6. The Ministry of the Laity ; 7. Faith and Doctrine ; 8. Public Worship and Liturgical Law ; 9. Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Communion ; 10. Marriage, Divorce, Confession and Funerals ; 11. Church Property and Finance ; 12. Inter-Church Relations and Ecumenical Law ; 13. General Conclusions ; Bibliography ; Index