The Catholic Church understands a marriage between two baptized persons which is consummated to be dissolved only by death.

A marriage can be invalid due to one of three problems:

1. A defect of consent

2. A defect of form

3. An undispensed impediment

These situations are all investigated by the marriage tribunal in conjunction with our curial department.

However, a valid marriage that is not between two baptized persons and consummated can, in certain circumstances, be dissolved by the Church. These cases are handled by the curial department of the Catholic Marriage Tribunal.