Of course this is notwithstanding that failure to receive dispensation from form invalidates marriages where diriment impediments are not present. |
Respondent Judge knew or ought to know that a subsisting previous marriage is a diriment impediment, which would make the subsequent marriage null and void. |
On its completion the novice makes the usual vows of religion, the simple vow of chastity in the Society having the force of a diriment impediment to matrimony. |
However, if after a marriage, a couple divorces and they can prove that a diriment impediment existed at the moment of consent, the marriage is declared null. |
A further reason is that the Church claims jurisdiction over such mixed marriages, institutes diriment impediments to them, and grants dispensations. |
The reason for this is that a prior marriage is only a diriment impediment to marriage, when it is truly valid. |