At the same time the court upheld the constitutional validity of the law as a whole, including the distinction between types of religious associations.

Many people were therefore affected by these provisions; it was desirable that clarity as to their constitutional validity be established as soon as possible.

The constitutional validity of the enabling law becomes irrelevant since the conduct authorised by the law remains valid.

It had to be clear, however, that no pronouncement was made in the present judgment on the constitutional validity of polygynous unions.