Section — Merkelbach, Pastoral Questions
§ 2. Simple Vow
- I. What vows impede matrimony.
"A simple vow of virginity, of perfect chastity, of not marrying, of receiving sacred orders, and of embracing the religious state impedes matrimony." (Can. 1058 § 1.)
- II. Whether and how one contracting matrimony, bound by those vows, sins.
a) He who has emitted a vow of not marrying sins gravely by contracting matrimony, because he injures the vow in grave matter. But once matrimony has been contracted, he can conduct himself as other spouses.
b) He who has emitted a vow of virginity sins gravely by contracting matrimony, unless he is certain from the promise or vow of the other party that he can preserve virginity in matrimony. For he gravely exposes himself to the danger of violating the vow. But once virginity has been lost, he is no longer bound to anything.
c) He who has emitted a vow of perfect chastity sins gravely by contracting matrimony, unless, as was said in the preceding case, he has full assurance concerning perfect chastity to be preserved in matrimony. Joined in matrimony, he can and ought to render the debt, but not to ask it, unless he is dispensed for this by the Bishop or by a regular confessor.
d) One bound by a vow of entering religion or receiving sacred orders sins gravely by contracting matrimony, because he makes the fulfillment of the vow impossible for himself. Rigorously speaking, he would be bound to ask from the spouse license to enter religion or to receive sacred orders. But the other party is by no means bound to consent. He can render and ask the debt, because he has not vowed chastity. Once the matrimony has been dissolved, or perpetual divorce has been pronounced, the vow revives.
- III. Dispensation from an impediment of this kind.
a) A vow of perfect and perpetual chastity or a vow of entering a regular order strictly so called, i.e., with solemn vows, provided that those vows were emitted absolutely, without an appended condition, and after the completed eighteenth year of age, require dispensation of the Holy See.
b) The same holds concerning a vow emitted in religion, even if it is temporary, unless in another way according to the canons the vow has ceased.
c) For the other vows, dispensation of the Bishop or of a regular confessor, granted from a just cause, suffices.