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Marriage Blood Lines

Impediments Table

From

“My Catholic Faith – A Catechism in Pictures”

by Rev. Louis LaRavoire Morrow

Imprimatur

+ Michael J. O’Doherty, Archbishop of Manilla

June 11, 1937

4

Their great grand children

-

4

Their grand children

-

4

Their children

-

4

Great-great

uncle

-

4

Great-great grandfather

Great-great grandmother

-

4

Great-great aunt

-

4

Their children

-

4

Their grand children

-

4

Their great grand children

|

4

Their great grand children

-

3

Their grand children

-

3

Their children

-

3

Great uncle

-

3

Great Grandfather

Great Grandmother

-

3

Great aunt

-

3

Their children

-

3

Their grand children

-

4

Their great grand children

|

4

Their children

-

3

Second cousins

-

2

First cousins

-

2

Uncle

-

2

Grandfather

Grandmother

-

2

Aunt

-

2

First cousins

-

3

Second cousins

-

4

Their children

|

4

Great grand nephew

-

3

Grand nephew

-

2

Nephew

-

1

Brother Half-brother

-

1

Father

Mother

-

1

Sister

Half-sister

-

2

Niece

-

3

Grand niece

-

4

Great grand niece

|

JUAN or

MARIA

(Person to be married)

|

1

Son

Daughter

|

2

Grandson

Granddaughter

|

3

Great Grandson

Great Granddaughter

Key to Table

This table shows the line, and the degree of relationship in connection with the person to be married, Juan or Maria.  In the direct line (represented by the boxes in the center column) are all persons descended from or from whom descended the person to be married, as grandson, father, etc.  In the collateral line (represented by the horizontal rectangles to the right and left of the direct line) all other relatives belong, as cousins, uncles, etc.

The degrees of relationship are indicated by the numbers.  For instance, a niece is in the second degree collateral: a grandson in the second degree direct, etc.

No marriage can be permitted between persons related in the direct line; no dispensation will be granted for such a marriage.  In the collateral line, no dispensation is granted for marriages between those related in the first degree; that is, brothers and sisters.

For relationships closer to the main family trunk, the granting of dispensations is more difficult than for those farther, although the degree might be the same.  Experience teaches that it is not advisable to marry near relatives.

Direct Line

Collateral Line (no border)

1,2,3,4

Degree of Relationship

No Marriage Permitted

Dispensation granted with difficulty

Dispensation granted more easily

No necessity for dispensation