Chapter — Gury-Ballerini, Compendium of Moral Theology (8th ed., 1884)

Chapter VI. On the Impediments of Matrimony

¶1.

Laws establishing impediments of matrimony are of two kinds: some are only prohibiting, while others are invalidating. Impediments of the former kind merely render matrimony illicit; the latter also render it invalid. For these directly and primarily affect the matrimonial contract itself and render it null and invalid because of the absence of a condition absolutely required for valid contracting. - Hence there is a twofold article.

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