Church law refers to the body of regulations and principles that govern the conduct of Christian churches. Some synonyms for church law include canon law, ecclesiastical law, and divine law. Canon law is the specific code of ecclesiastical laws governing the Catholic Church and is considered an integral part of the church's hierarchy. Ecclesiastical law can be defined as the branch of law which deals with the administration of justice within the church. Divine law, on the other hand, is believed to be derived from the norms of God and is seen as overarching rules that should guide all religious practices. Regardless of their nuances, all these terms are used interchangeably to refer to legal principles within the Christian faith.