Broadly defined, canon law is all the laws, both divine and ecclesiastical, universal and particular, of the Roman Catholic Church. More narrowly, the laws that appear as canons in the Code of Canon Law and the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches. An understanding of canon law is important for leaders of Catholic health care because Catholic health care is a ministry of the Catholic Church, continuing the ministry of Jesus. Canon law provides the values or norms from which health care organizations can effectively operate in mission.

Leaders of Catholic health care organizations differ from leaders of other-than-Catholic ones in that their work is bound by both civil law and the canon law of the Catholic Church. Because this is so, leaders of Catholic organizations should know something about canon law. Toward this end, Health Progress offered a series of columns on canon law. The column, which is the work of different writers, is under the general editorship of a well-known expert in the field, Fr. Francis G. Morrisey, OMI, JCD, Ph.D., professor of canon law, Saint Paul University, Ottawa, Ontario.

• Restructuring Systems: A Call for Dialogue, Fr. Francis G. Morrisey, OMI, Ph.D., J.C.D., January-February 2013
• Dispensations Provide for Flexibility in Church Law, Fr. Francis G. Morrisey, OMI, Ph.D., J.C.D., September-October 2012
• Strict Interpretation Helps Avoid Harshness, Fr. Francis G. Morrisey, OMI, Ph.D., J.C.D., May-June 2012
• Canonical Principles Address Disparities, Fr. Francis G. Morrisey, OMI, Ph.D., J.C.D., January-February 2012
• Vatican Expert Unpacks Canonical PJP Process, Sr. Sharon Holland, IHM, J.C.D., September-October 2011
• Anointing of the Sick - The How and Why, Sr. Marlene Weisenbeck, September-October 2011
• Just Wages — It's in Church Law, Fr. Francis G. Morrisey, OMI, Ph.D., J.C.D., July-August 2011
• New PJP Model a 'Leap of Faith', Fr. Francis G. Morrisey, OMI, Ph.D., J.C.D., March-April 2011
• Dialogue and Consultation a Part of Church Law, Fr. Francis G. Morrisey, OMI, PhD, JCD, November-December 2010
• The Ethical and Religious Directives as Particular Law, Fr. Kevin D. O'Rourke, July-August 2010
• A Guide for Church Stewards, Fr. Frank G. Morrisey, March-April 2010
• Chaplains In Canon Law and Contemporary Practice, Sr. Marlene Weisenbeck, January-February 2010
• Sponsors as Supporters, Sr. Patricia Smith, OSF, Ph.D., JCD, November-December 2009
• The Ministry of Business: Do Everything for the Glory of God, Sr. Kelly Connors, PM, J.D.L., September-October 2009
• Administering Church Goods, Fr. Frank Morrisey, OMI, Ph.D., J.C.D., July-August 2009
• The Administrator's Duty of Vigilance, Sr. Kelly Connors, PM, J.C.L., May-June 2009
• Ownership Defined Differently in Civil, Canon Law, Fr. Frank Morrisey, OMI, Ph.D., J.C.D., January-February 2009
• Understanding Charism, Sr. Marlene Weisenbeck, FSPA, Ph.D., JCL, November-December 2008
• Precision and Certitude: Laws Governing Laws, Sr. Patricia Smith, OSF, Ph.D., JCD, September-October 2008
• The Bishop's Vicar: How Does It Work?, Sr. Marlene Weisenbeck, FSPA, Ph.D., JCL, July-August 2008
• Bishops and Religious Institutes: Building Collaboration, Barbara Anne Cusack, JCD, May-June 2008
• What is Stable Patrimony?, Fr. Frank Morrisey, OMI, Ph.D., JCD, March-April 2008
• Considering Exemptions Requires Cautious Approach, Fr. Kevin D. O'Rourke, OP, JCD, STM, January-February 2008
• How Does the "Communion of the Church" Apply to Catholic Health Care?, Barbara Anne Cusack, JCD, September-October 2007
• "Holding Fast to the Mission and Works Proper to the Institute," Sr. Marlene Weisenbeck, FSPA, PhD, JCL, July-August 2007
• What are Acquired Rights in Canon Law?, Sr. Patricia Smith, OSF, PhD, JCD, May-June 2007
• What Does Canon Law Say about the Quality of Sponsored Works?, Fr. Francis G. Morrisey, OMI, PhD, JCD, March-April 2007
• Does Canon Law Speak of Sponsorship of Catholic Works?, Fr. Francis G. Morrisey, OMI, PhD, JCD, January-February 2007
• "Formation" in the Code of Canon Law, Sr. Marlene Weisenbeck, FSPA, PhD, JCL, November-December 2006
• What Are "Indults" and "Dispensations"?, Sr. Patricia Smith, OSF, PhD, JCD, September-October 2006
• The Role of the Diocesan Bishop in Relation to Catholic Health Care, Barbara Anne Cusack, JCD, July-August 2006
• Canon Law and Ethical and Religious Directives, Fr. Kevin O'Rourke, OP, JCD, STM, May-June 2006
• Canon Law and Mortgages, Fr. Francis G. Morrisey, OMI, PhD, JCD, March-April 2006
• What is an Institute of Consecrated Life?, Sr. Marlene Weisenbeck, FSPA, PhD, JCL, January-February 2006
• Canon Law is Flexible and Adjustable, Sr. Patricia Smith, OSF, PhD, JCD, November-December 2005
• The Role of the Bishop, Sr. Sharon Euart, RSM, JCD, September-October 2005
• Canon Law and Health Care Ministry, Fr. Paul Golden, CM, JCD, July-August 2005
• Three Questions Concerning Canon Law, Fr. Francis G. Morrisey, OMI, JCD, PhD & Fr. Kevin D. O'Rourke, OP, JCD, May-June 2005