canonist

[kan-uh-nist]

noun

1. a person who is a specialist in canon law.

canonist

/ ˈkænənɪst /

noun

1. a specialist in canon law

Other Word Forms

• canonistic adjective
• canonistical adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of canonist¹

1350–1400; Middle English. See canon ¹, -ist

Example Sentences

While a future pope could change any decree Francis issues, canonists, cardinals and even rank-and-file Catholics have argued new norms are needed because Benedict’s decisions in retirement impacted his successor from the very start.

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The changes to the Code of Canon Law took 11 years to develop and included input from canonist and criminal law experts.

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Astigueta, a Jesuit canonist at the Gregorian, has said such institutional secrecy surrounding abuse case harms the development and practice of the church’s own law.

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While church trials do make use of police investigations and evidence from secular courts, a counter-study commissioned by an entire bishops’ conference could run into jurisdictional problems at a canonical trial, canonists said.

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The canonist John of Ayton, reciting the decrees of Ottobon and of Boniface, with their injunction that bishops shall “cause them to be observed,” exclaims Cause to be observed!

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Related Words

• adherent 
• devotee 
• disciple 
• follower 
• supporter 
• zealot