Catholic Dictionary

Find accurate definitions of over 5,000 Catholic terms and phrases (including abbreviations). Based on Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.

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LIGAMEN

An existing marriage acting as a deterring impediment to another marriage. It exists until the death of either party is legally attested or morally certain. Exceptions are the dissolution by the Church of a natural marital bond or a nonconsummated sacramental marriage. An apparent exception is when the Church declares a previous marital union, considered valid and sacramental, to have been nor real marriage at all.