They have no church rules, but they rely solely on the Bible as their guide.

"If a simple majority were required by church rules," he said, "this would have been an overwhelming victory."

"So God will forgive my violation of church rules."

By church rules, he must be buried four to six days of his death - that is, between Wednesday and Friday.

But he did say that the court should not entangle itself with interpreting internal church rules.

But those bishops, together with some officials at the Vatican, described the action as a breach of church rules.

Missionary life is strictly defined by church rules and can be grueling.

But his case is entirely enclosed in the logic of church rules and procedures.

But he said church rules now held that five years must pass before a candidacy can begin.

Members who break church rules may be called to confess before the congregation.