Marital consent and the defects that render it null in canonical legislation

Abstract

Marriage is a fundamental aspect of human civilization yet all too often it is not treated with the respect it deserves as one of the highest forms of interpersonal relationship possible and the basis of the nuclear family unit which is the building block of society. This dissertation will first describe the institute of marriage and the impact it has had on the development of human civilization throughout history in the context of both a social and religious construct. It will also analyze what makes a marriage valid from a canonical perspective by detailing the different conditions that are required for the marital bond to be formed and preserved. It will describe in further detail the essential component of consent in canonical marriage and particular focus will be ascribed to the circumstances that render such consent invalid. These grounds are established in Book IV Part I Title VII Chapter IV of the 1983 Code of Canon Law entitled Matrimonial Consent.