[1639] The consent by which the spouses give themselves to each other and receive each other is sealed by God himself (cf. Mk 10:9). From their covenant “there arises, even before society, an institution [of marriage] that has stability by divine ordinance” (GS 48, § 1). The covenant of the spouses is taken up into God's covenant with humanity: “Authentic married love is caught up into divine love” (GS 48, 2).
[1640] The marriage bond is therefore established by God himself, so that a Marriage contracted and consummated between the baptised can never be dissolved. This bond, which results from the free human act of the spouses and from the consummation of the marriage, is henceforth an irrevocable reality and gives rise to a covenant guaranteed by God's fidelity. It is not within the Church's power to rule against this provision of divine wisdom.
