Bible Dictionaries
Previous Marriage, Impediment of

1910 New Catholic Dictionary

Search for…

Enter query below:

or

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z

Prev Entry
Pretium

Next Entry
Pride

Resource Toolbox

Print Article

(Latin: ligare, to bind)

Signifies an existing marriage bond, and is a diriment impediment to another marriage. It is often known as the impediment of previous marriage. It endures until the death of the wife or husband has been legally attested or is morally certain. But in the case of a valid marriage dissolved by the Church under the Pauline Privilege or of a non-consummated Christian marriage dissolved by the pope, the previous marriage, although it was valid, no longer exists, and consequently is no longer an impediment.