epieikeia
noun
ep·i·ei·keia
ˌepēˌīˈkīə
variants or epikeia
ˌepəˈkīə
plural -s
: interpretation of a law of the Roman Catholic Church that presumes it not applicable in a case of hardship felt to violate natural law (as when a mother presumes she may miss mass rather than leave her baby alone) : equity
the epieikeia of the church
Word History
Etymology
Greek epieikeia reasonableness, equity, from epieikēs suitable, reasonable + -ia -y