(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.