All the Christian faithful have the right to be free from any kind of coercion in choosing a state of life (Canon 219).
The principle is that everyone has the right not to be subjected to pressure in making a choice about their state in life – whether choosing marriage, the priesthood or religious life. Such coercion would invalidate their choice. For example, Canon 1103 prescribes the conditions of force or fear which would make a marriage null and void.
This is a right to immunity from coercion – not the right in entering – but in "choosing" a state of life.
In other words, the right is limited to the freedom to make a personal decision in the case where consent is necessary for validity.
Editor's note: This series about the rights and obligations of the Christian faithful, as set forth in canon (Church) law, has been written especially for the Catholic News Herald by Mercy Sister Jeanne-Margaret McNally. Sister Jeanne-Margaret is a distinguished authority on canon law, author of the reference guide "Canon Law for the Laity," and frequent lecturer at universities and dioceses. A graduate of The Catholic University of America with multiple degrees including a doctorate in psychology and a licentiate of canon law (JCL), she is a psychologist for the Tribunal of the Diocese of Charlotte and a judge in the Metropolitan Tribunal of the Archdiocese of Miami.