how did canon law differ from governmental law?
Canon Law is the set of laws that govern the Catholic Church internally. An advanced degree in Canon Law (JCD or JCL) is the same as an advanced degree in civil law (JD), but it pertains to education in a different set of laws (Canon vs. civil). As an aside, for most in the USA, at least (with the exception of Louisiana), it also includes approaching law in a different way.