In the

canon law Canon law (from grc, κανών, , a 'straight measuring rod, ruler') is a set of ordinances and regulations made by ecclesiastical authority (church leadership) for the government of a Christian organization or church and its members. It is th ...

of the

Catholic Church The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.3 billion baptized Catholics worldwide . It is among the world's oldest and largest international institutions, and has played a ...

, ecclesiastical privileges are the privileges enjoyed by the

clergy Clergy are formal leaders within established religions. Their roles and functions vary in different religious traditions, but usually involve presiding over specific rituals and teaching their religion's doctrines and practices. Some of the ter ...

. Their scope varied over time."Ecclesiastical Privileges"
in: ''

Catholic Encyclopedia The ''Catholic Encyclopedia: An International Work of Reference on the Constitution, Doctrine, Discipline, and History of the Catholic Church'' (also referred to as the ''Old Catholic Encyclopedia'' and the ''Original Catholic Encyclopedia'') i ...

'' The main privileges are: *''Privilegium canonis'', regarding personal

inviolability In religion and ethics, the inviolability of life, or sanctity of life, is a principle of implied protection regarding aspects of sentient life that are said to be holy, sacred, or otherwise of such value that they are not to be violated. This can ...

against malicious injury *''

Privilegium fori The ''privilegium fori'' (Latin for "privilege of the (legal) forum") is a generic term for legal privileges to be tried in a particular court or type of court of law. Typically, it is an application of the principle of trial by one's peers, either ...

'', regarding a special tribunal in civil and criminal causes before an

ecclesiastical judge An ecclesiastical judge ( la, Judex, or ) is an ecclesiastical person who possesses ecclesiastical jurisdiction either in general or in the strict sense. Up until 1858 when Ecclesiastical courts were abolished, ecclesiastical judges tried church c ...

. *''Privilegium immunitatis'', exemption from taxation and some other burdens *''Privilegium competentiae'', right to proper sustenance In addition to personal privileges, ecclesiastical privileges may cover consecrated and sacred places and things.

References

Canon law of the Catholic Church {{RC-Canon-law-stub