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.
