Matrimonio e vincoli da parentela spirituale

Through an examination of the biblical texts and patristic literature both Western and Eastern, the study aims to reconstruct the scriptural presuppositions and theoretical basis on which would rest the introduction of the impediment of “spiritual kinship”, and in particular the prohibition of marital unions between godfather and baptized. Already opposed by widespread customs, it would find legal sanction for the first time in the Justinian legislation, with a specific legal disposition (CI.5.4.26 of 530). An expeditious review of the subsequent legal and canonical sources shows how the impediment has preserved continuing validity until recently, when it was abolished by the new Code of Canon Law of the Western Church, while it keeps cogency in the Oriental Church.