Canon Law 

Every organisation has its rules by which the members of that organisation understand and keep within the boundaries of permitted activities, suffering censure when these rules are transgressed. In the field of employment the detail is usually contained with the contract of employment though many additional rules can be found within corporate, departmental, or operational policy. The Roman Catholic 'Church' is no exception, having grown to the scale of a global enterprise, the governing rule set has grown in large proportion and embraces a wide range of sources.

This rule set is known as 'Canon Law' and determines what member's rights and obligations are, together with what sanctions are appropriate when the Law is breached. 

It governs numerous issues, for example, from celebration of the sacraments, to parish life, on to marriage and divorce, including 'when is it appropriate to receive the sacrament of anointing of the sick?", or "can I attend the wedding of a Catholic friend who is marrying a non-Catholic?" In fact the Canon Law up-until Vatican 11, was kept hidden in secret from the laity in a cloud of mystery only accessible by the ecclesiastical orders.