Principles of Canon Law 2022 available for purchase and download

August 5, 2022

The Principles of Canon Law Common to the Churches of the Anglican Communion (Second Edition, 2022) are now available for purchase in hard copy here, and in PDF format for download here.

Since 2008, the Principles have been used in academic research, ecumenical dialogue, the strengthening of inter-Anglican bonds, judgments, and in the development of Anglican canon law: details of this can be found in the Preface to the new edition. The Ecclesiastical Law Society also sponsored the production of a full index to this latest edition, making it an even more useful resource for Anglican canonists.

In late 2020 the Centre for Law and Religion at Cardiff began an 18-month global project to revise The Principles of Canon Law common to the Churches of the Anglican Communion, working closely with the Ecclesiastical Law Society. Originally produced in response to a request from the Primates’ Meeting in 2002, the Principles were launched at the Lambeth Conference 2008. Incorporating the work of ten reading groups worldwide, a revision committee, in consultation with legal advisors from across the Provinces, have produced the revised version.

This news item is being published as the launch of the new Principles is taking place at the Lambeth Conference. The launch being sponsored by the generosity of Winckworth Sherwood LLP. The Bishop of Lesotho, Dr Vicentia Kgabe, a member of the revision committee, is hosting the launch.

Contributing a new foreword to this edition, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Revd Justin Welby, describes the Principles as ‘absolutely essential’ and ‘not only for lawyers, but for all those who seek to understand the different influences on the complex ecosystem that is the Anglican Communion.’

Watch this space for a report on the launch event in the coming days.