Art. 2. Separation with the Bond Remaining

Can. 1151 Spouses have the duty and right to preserve conjugal living unless a legitimate cause excuses them.

Can. 1152 §1. Although it is earnestly recommended that a spouse, moved by Christian charity and concerned for

the good of the family, not refuse forgiveness to an adulterous partner and not disrupt conjugal life, nevertheless,

if the spouse did not condone the fault of the other expressly or tacitly, the spouse has the right to sever conjugal

living unless the spouse consented to the adultery, gave cause for it, or also committed adultery.

§2. Tacit condonation exists if the innocent spouse has had marital relations voluntarily with the other spouse

after having become certain of the adultery. It is presumed, moreover, if the spouse observed conjugal living for six

months and did not make recourse to the ecclesiastical or civil authority.

§3. If the innocent spouse has severed conjugal living voluntarily, the spouse is to introduce a cause for

separation within six months to the competent ecclesiastical authority which, after having investigated all the

circumstances, is to consider carefully whether the innocent spouse can be moved to forgive the fault and not to

prolong the separation permanently.

Can. 1153 §1. If either of the spouses causes grave mental or physical danger to the other spouse or to the offspring

or otherwise renders common life too diYcult, that spouse gives the other a legitimate cause for leaving, either by

decree of the local ordinary or even on his or her own authority if there is danger in delay.

§2. In all cases, when the cause for the separation ceases, conjugal living must be restored unless ecclesiastical

authority has established otherwise.

Can. 1154 After the separation of the spouses has taken place, the adequate support and education of the children

must always be suitably provided.

Can. 1155 The innocent spouse laudably can readmit the other spouse to conjugal life; in this case the innocent

spouse renounces the right to separate.