schism (siz-[schwa]m orskiz-[schwa]m). 1. A breach or rupture; a division, esp. among members of a group, as of a union. 2. A separation of beliefs and doctrines by persons of the same organized religion, religious denomination, or sect. [Cases: Religious Societies 23, 35. C.J.S. Religious Societies §§ 70, 98–100.] “It has been held that the […]
Court of High Commission. Hist. Eccles. law. A tribunal responsible for inquiring into religious offenses such as the holding of heretical opinions, and absence from church. • Functioning as a court, the High Commission also prosecuted violations of the Acts of Supremacy and Uniformity (1559), the statutes that gave the Crown supreme power over the
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Court of Convocation. Eccles. law. An assembly of high-ranking provincial officials and representatives of the lower clergy having jurisdiction over cases of heresy, schism, and other ecclesiastical matters.
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