Canon Law as Applied Theology: Why the Church's Rules Serve Relationship – Adam Storey – 06/18/2026

In this conversation on The Catholic Morning Show, guest host Sam Halligan welcomes canon lawyer Adam Storey to explore a subject many Catholics associate only with annulments or parish governance. Storey offers a big-picture view of canon law as a tool the Church uses to serve justice and order the community so it can respond to Christ's call to mission. He frames canon law as "applied theology" — taking what the Church believes about Jesus and the Body of Christ and living it out — rooted specifically in ecclesiology: the conviction that the Church is a visible body, a communal family of faith, and a people who, being wounded, need guardrails and direction. Drawing on the triple munera of teaching, governing, and sanctifying, he shows how canon law shapes the sacraments, parish ministry, and the bishop's governance of his diocese. Responding to the idea that "rules without relationship breed rebellion," Storey emphasizes that the law is a means to an end — keep the end in focus, and the guardrails reveal themselves as paths to genuine flourishing. Listen to The Catholic Morning Show weekdays at 7:00 a.m. Central on the Iowa Catholic Radio Network, at IowaCatholicRadio.com, or on the Iowa Catholic Radio app. #CanonLaw #CatholicTheology #CatholicMorningShow #IowaCatholicRadio #CatholicChurch #Ecclesiology #CatholicPodcast #AppliedTheology #CatholicFaith #CatholicEducation   Credits: Produced, Edited, and Mixed by Ayden Pugh, Alexia Baker, and Brady Grimm. ENJOYING THE SHOW? Follow The Catholic Morning Show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify so you never miss an episode — and if this one was worth your time, please leave us a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating. It takes ten seconds and it's the single best way to help more people find the show. 🎧 LISTEN LIVE Catch The Catholic Morning Show live, weekday mornings on Iowa Catholic Radio. Listen Live · Program Schedule · Our Stations LINKSYou can follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Tiktok! More on our website.If you would like to support Iowa Catholic Radio you can donate Here! More from Iowa Catholic Radio:Sunday Dive with Katie PatrizioMan Up! with Joe StopulosCatholic Women Now with Chris Magruder and Julie NelsonThe Uncommon Good with Bo Bonner and Dr. Bud MarrBe Not Afraid with Fr. Fabian Moncada and Fr. Bruce RiebeBe Not Afraid en Español con el P. Fabián MoncadaMaking it Personal with Bishop William JoensenFaith and Family Finance with Gregory WaddleThe Great Men of the Bible with Joe Stopulos Liturgy & DevotionsThe Daily Gospel Reflection with Fr. Nick SmithThe Daily Mass from St. Francis of AssisiThe Daily Mass from St. Pius XThe Daily Mass from St. TheresaSunday Mass from the Basilica of Saint JohnWant to support your favorite show? Click Here Iowa Catholic Radio - Connecting People to Christ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.