Article X. Difference of Religion

When a man and woman marry, they enter upon the closest possible union for mutual help and for the rearing and education of a family. Religion should be at the base of that union, and should furnish the fundamental principles for the education of their offspring. This, however, is hardly possible if husband and wife profess different religions, so that the very nature of marriage excludes difference of religion in husband and wife. If both the parties are baptized Christians, but only one is a Catholic, difference of religion is only a prohibitory impediment; if one of the parties is not baptized, and the other has been baptized in the Catholic Church or has been converted to it, it constitutes a diriment impediment. The first is commonly called a mixed marriage, and we will devote to it the following section.