Article I: Of the Dissolution of the Bond

A valid, ratified, and consummated marriage can be dissolved by no human power and by no cause, except death.

A non-consummated marriage between baptized persons or between a baptized party and a non-baptized party is dissolved both by the law itself through solemn religious profession, and through a dispensation granted by the Apostolic See from a just cause, with both parties asking or one party, even if the other is unwilling.

§ 1. A legitimate marriage between non-baptized persons, although consummated, is dissolved in favor of the faith by the Pauline privilege.

§ 2. This privilege does not obtain in a marriage entered between a baptized party and a non-baptized party with a dispensation from the impediment of disparity of cult.

§ 1. Before the spouse converted and baptized validly contracts a new marriage, he must, with the prescription of can. 1125 preserved, interpellate the non-baptized party:

1° Whether the latter also wishes to be converted and receive baptism.

2° Whether at least the latter wishes to cohabit peacefully with him without insult to the Creator.

§ 2. These interpellations must always be made, unless the Apostolic See has declared otherwise.

§ 1. The interpellations are to be made ordinarily in at least summary and extrajudicial form, by the authority of the Ordinary of the converted spouse; by this Ordinary there are also to be granted to the unbelieving spouse, if indeed he has sought them, delays for deliberating, yet with him warned that, the delays having passed uselessly, the response will be presumed negative.

§ 2. Interpellations also made privately by the converted party himself are valid, indeed they are also licit, if the form prescribed above cannot be observed; nevertheless in this case, for the external forum, they must be established by at least two witnesses or by another legitimate mode of proof.

If the interpellations have been omitted by declaration of the Apostolic See, or if the unbeliever has responded negatively to them expressly or tacitly, the baptized party has the right of contracting new nuptials with a Catholic person, unless after baptism he himself has given the non-baptized party a just cause for departing.

The faithful spouse, although after receiving baptism he has again lived matrimonially with the unbelieving party, nevertheless does not lose the right of celebrating new nuptials with a Catholic person, and therefore can use this right if the unbelieving spouse, with will changed, afterward departs without a just cause, or no longer cohabits peacefully without insult to the Creator.

Those things which regard marriage in the constitutions of Paul III, Altitudo, 1 June 1537; of St. Pius V, Romani Pontificis, 2 Aug. 1571; of Gregory XIII, Populis, 25 Jan. 1585, and which were written for particular places, are extended also to other regions in the same circumstances.

The bond of the prior union, contracted in infidelity, is dissolved only then, when the faithful party has in reality validly entered new nuptials.

In a doubtful matter the privilege of the faith enjoys the favor of law.