Catholic Schools in Two Worlds: Understanding Governance and Bylaws in Church and Civil Law

The legal obligations of a Catholic school exist in two worlds, that of the Catholic church and that of civil society. The Catholic church's legal system, called canon law, provides norms and standards concerning the life of the church, including Catholic education. The civil legal structure of the Catholic school, with its various roles and responsibilities, protects the church's mission and property according to the laws of civil society.