Marriage, the institution of conjugal love and other kinds of unions

(33) The natural reality is taken into consideration in the canonical laws of the Church.[80][80]  Canonical law describes substantially the essence of marriage between baptized persons, both in its moment in fieri – the conjugal covenant – and as a permanent state in which the conjugal and family relations are situated.  In this sense, the ecclesiastical jurisdiction over marriage is decisive and represents an authentic protection for family values.  The basic principles of the essence of marriage with regard to conjugal love and its sacramental nature are not always sufficiently understood and respected.