The promulgation of the New Code of Canon Law has not only revolutionized ecclesiastical discipline but has become an epoch-making factor of far-reaching consequences. By codifying its laws the Church has simplified, facilitated, and stabilized the study of a very important ecclesiastical science, and has afforded an access to a permanent and authentic source which, besides serving as a guide, will constitute the basis of Church government. The systematic presentation of the various canons contained in the New Code is of signal assistance to the student, but the terseness of the language in which they are couched and the scientific and technical terminology employed, must of necessity give rise to some difficulties. These difficulties have been anticipated by the Supreme Legislator and a remedy was applied by establishing a Sacred Congregation, or rather Commission, whose exclusive purpose is to render authentic decisions in doubts arising in connection with the interpretation of the various canons. This Commission has already exercised its function by promulgating authentic declarations and interpretations in doubts submitted for solution. Some of these decisions concern the subject which forms the burden of this work. The subject of matrimony, as viewed in the light of the New Code of Canon Law, has undergone many changes, some of them fundamental, others again less significant. With regard to its importance the subject cannot be overemphasized. Its comprehensiveness is admitted by all who are engaged in the sacred ministry. The principles directly or indirectly connected with it are many, their application is very consequential. Some of the 133 canons, within whose compass the main discipline of the Church on this subject (exclusive of some specific dispensations, and matrimonial trials) is comprised, embody a discipline entirely new, others again either implicitly or explicitly modify or abrogate the former law. To explain the canons mentioned above all the available sources on which the author could draw were limited to the former discipline of the Church as reflected in the Corpus Juris, in the numerous decisions of the various Sacred Congregations, in the works of accepted and approved authors, and to the mere wording in which the matrimonial legislation is couched. This limitation is due to the fact that the present law is of very recent origin, the interpretations thus far suggested fragmentary, hastily compiled and necessarily inadequate, and the times unfavorable to serious and extensive research, to publication, and to the procuring of works, if there be any, on the subject treated in this book. These facts will explain why the author was not in a position to advance authorities for some of his statements regarding certain opinions he has espoused in the interpretation of canons containing a law either entirely new or modified when compared with the former discipline. Though the author guarded his statements as much as possible, the seeming obscurity and indefiniteness prevailing in some canons constrain him to say that some of his opinions in this, what may be styled a pioneer-work, are only tentative and provisional.

St. Alphonsus writes: "a single bad book will be sufficient to cause the destruction of a monastery." Pope Pius XII wrote in 1947 at the beatification of Blessed Maria Goretti: "There rises to Our lips the cry of the Saviour: 'Woe to the world because of scandals ' (Matthew 18:7). Woe to those who consciously and deliberately spread corruption-in novels, newspapers, magazines, theaters, films, in a world of immodesty " We at St. Pius X Press are calling for a crusade of good books. We want to restore 1,000 old Catholic books to the market. We ask for your assistance and prayers. This book is a photographic reprint of the original. The original has been inspected and some imperfections may remain. At Saint Pius X Press our goal is to remain faithful to the original in both photographic reproductions and in textual reproductions that are reprinted. Photographic reproductions are given a page by page inspection, whereas textual reproductions are proofread to correct any errors in reproduction.

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CUA Press is proud to announce the CUA Studies in Canon Law. In conjunction with the School of Canon Law of the Catholic University of America, we are making available, both digitally and in print, more than 400 canon law dissertations from the 1920s to 1960s, many of which have long been unavailable. These volumes are rich in historical content, yet remain relevant to canon lawyers today. Topics covered include such issues as abortion, excommunication, and infertility. Several studies are devoted to marriage and the annulment process; the acquiring and disposal of church property, including the union of parishes; the role and function of priests, vicars general, bishops, and cardinals; and juridical procedures within the church. For those who seek to understand current ecclesial practices in light of established canon law, these books will be an invaluable resource.