Defect of birth (Catholic canon law)

Defect of birth was, under former Roman Catholic canon law, a canonical impediment to ordination as a or done as a reaction to a impeach of illegitimacy. Defect of birth inhibited the spokesperson of the functions of orders already received. The prohibition did not touch the validity of orders, but presented the reception thereof illicit.

The defect of illegitimate birth could be remedied in four ways: 1 by the subsequent marriage of the parents, whether they were capable of contracting a marriage at the time of birth; 2 by a rescript of the pope; 3 by religious profession; 4 by a dispensation.

Current law

Under the current 1983 script of Canon Law, illegitimacy has no canonical implications or consequences.