Ecclesiastical Law: When Jesus ascended into Heaven, He promised He would be with us always.  The primary way this happens is through the Church.  The Church, in the persons of the Apostles and their successors, is entrusted with the “Keys to the Kingdom.”  This means that Jesus promises to lead us into all truth throughout time.  

It’s the sacred role of the Church, especially the pope and bishops, to teach on matters of faith and morals throughout time.  This is especially important as new moral questions arise in each day and age.  It may be good to refer to the section on the Magisterium in Book One of this series for a clearer explanation.  All that is said there refers, especially, to the way that God guides the Church in the ways of faith.  However, the teaching authority of the Magisterium also equally applies to all matters of the moral life.  It is the role of the Magisterium to teach and clarify the moral law for us in every day and age.

For example, Jesus never taught us about the morality of cloning or embryonic stem cell research.  Therefore, it’s the responsibility of the Church to take the moral clarity given through the teaching of Jesus and apply it to all modern questions.  Therefore, we can be certain that Jesus brings clarity to His revelation as new questions arise.

The Church is also given the authority and, therefore, the responsibility, to offer laws to guide our worship and life of faith.  For example, the teaching on attending Mass on holy days of obligation is a divine law that is taught through the Church.  It is a particular way in which we honor and keep the Third Commandment.  Jesus wants us to be obedient to these laws.  

Ecclesiastical laws govern the celebration of the Sacraments, the organization of parishes and dioceses; guide the responsibility of bishops and pastors; help those called to religious life, etc.  The Church gives us what we call Canon Law to guide most parts of our activities, but there are also many other ways in which Church laws guide us.  There are particular laws set up in each local church, diocese and country.  There are laws that apply to each religious community and organization.  There are more universal liturgical laws. And there are other moral laws taught by the Church.  One specific ecclesiastical law given to us is called the Precepts of the Church. These Precepts are as follows:

1) Attend Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation.
2) Confess your sins at least once a year.
3) Receive Holy Communion at least during the Easter season.
4) Keep holy the holy days of obligation.
5) Observe the prescribed days of fasting and abstinence.

Additionally, the faithful have the duty of providing for the material needs of the Church, each according to his abilities.

These precepts are ecclesiastical laws that provide us with what we may call the “minimum requirements” for each person to grow in holiness and the moral life.  These ecclesiastical laws are in perfect conformity with the divine law of God but are particular ways in which God manifests His law to us through the Church.

Civil Law: Civil laws are to be followed when they are in union with the mind and will of God.  When a civil law is enacted by a legitimate authority for the common good of the people, it is a participation in the Divine Law of God and must be followed.  However, if a civil law is in clear contradiction to the Divine Law and, therefore, contrary to our human reason, we are obliged not to follow it.

As a way of understanding how the moral law should work hand-in-hand with civil law and the common good of society, the next section looks more clearly at the way God’s law affects us as a human family.