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- discipline
The Catholic Church has various laws in order to better guide the faithful (its members). For example, the Church requires a fast from food and drink (except water and medicine) before receiving the eucharist. At one time, this fast took place from midnight to when one received the eucharist later that morning. That law/discipline has been changed slightly. The fast is still required, but it only need take place one hour before receiving the eucharist. Because different situations call for different laws, the Church sometimes needs to change some of her laws in order to better serve the faithful. This differs from doctrine which never changes.