canonical Questions and Answers

Marriages of Catholics or the Orthodox which are invalid because of lack of proper form can be declared invalid through an administrative process. This normally takes place when one of the parties wants to enter into a subsequent marriage. The request for

In order to marry validly in the Catholic Church, each party must be free from any canonical impediments. "Impediments" are things which disqualify a person from marrying. Some of these impediments are considered to be of divine law, and therefore cannot

The process that is followed in these cases is called a "summary judicial process." It involves gathering the necessary documents and other information that demonstrate that a canonical impediment existed at the time of the marriage and that it had not be