<P> Requirements for the validity of marriage are listed in the Code of Canon Law under the headings "Diriment Impediments" (such as being too young, being impotent, being already married, being ordained), "Matrimonial Consent" (which requires, for instance, sufficient use of reason, psychic ability to assume the essential obligations of marriage, and freedom from force and fear), and "The Form of the Celebration of Marriage" (normally requiring that it be contracted in the presence of the parish priest or his delegate and at least two other witnesses). </P> <P> An annulment is a declaration that the marriage was invalid (or null) at the time the vows were exchanged . Thus, an annulment is declared only when an ecclesial tribunal finds a lack of validity in the marriage at the time of the marital contract . Behaviour subsequent to the contract is not directly relevant, except as post factum evidence of the validity or invalidity of the contract . That is, behaviour subsequent to the contract cannot actually change the validity of the contract . For example, a marriage would be invalid if one of the parties, at the time of marriage, did not intend to honour the vow of fidelity . If the spouse did intend to be faithful at the time of the marriage but later committed adultery this does not invalidate the marriage . </P> <P> The teaching of the Catholic church is that annulment and divorce therefore differ, both in rationale and effect; an annulment is a finding that a true marriage never existed, whereas a divorce is a dissolution of marriage . </P> <P> In canon law there are numerous reasons for granting annulments of marriages that were entered into invalidly . MacCulloch has noted the "ingenuity" of Roman Catholic lawyers in deploying these in the historical context . </P>

Why is the sacrament of marriage important to the catholic church