§ I. On the Unity of Marriage

The unity of Marriage is placed in this, that Marriage is the conjunction of one man with one woman. Moreover,

1°. It is certain that polyandry conflicts with the natural law, because it is opposed to the principal ends of Marriage, namely the generation of offspring and their good education.

2°. It is certain that simultaneous polygamy is prohibited in every case, at least by the positive divine law of the New Law, as is established from Luke xvi, 18: "Everyone who puts away his wife and marries another commits adultery." It is likewise established from the Council of Trent, sess. 24, can. 2.

3°. It is certain that second and further nuptials are licit both for the man and for the woman, even under the Evangelical law. It is established from the authority and practice of the Church, and also from sacred Scripture, I Cor. vii, 39: "A woman is bound to the law for as long a time as her husband lives; but if her husband has slept, she is freed: let her marry whom she wishes, only in the Lord." - Cf. De Augustinis, Thes. 7, p. 254. Although chaste widowhood is more honorable, nevertheless second and further nuptials are valid and licit, with the prescription of Can. 1069, § 2, remaining firm (Can. 1142).