CCC 1629 For this reason (or for other reasons that render the marriage null and void) the Church, after an examination of the situation by the competent ecclesiastical tribunal, can declare the nullity of a marriage, i.e., that the marriage never existed.¹ In this case the contracting parties are free to marry, provided the natural obligations of a previous union are discharged.²

1 Cf. CIC, cann. 1095-1107.
2 Cf. CIC, can. 1071.