Marriage

[crusader1234]

I was just wondering, if before a couple gets married they know they wont be able to have children, can they still get married even though procreation is impossible?

[Pio Nono]

JMJ
6/17 - Eleventh Thursday

crusader1234,

Good question; I must do what I've been accused of doing on more than one occasion - giving you more information than you've asked for.

To clear the air right away, in order for a marriage to be valid, the couple must consummate the marriage (in essence, have sex). If this is not done, no wedding has taken place.

There are two types of people who cannot have children. First, there are those who have impotency problems but are still able to consummate the marriage. Things like low sperm counts, &c., don't prevent consummation, but make conception rather unlikely. Then there are those who are physically unable to have children - these include eunuchs, people who have had accidents, physical defects, &c. Since these people cannot consummate the marriage, no marriage is able to take place. These people can live quite effective single lives, though, giving themselves up to the Church for her apostolic labors. Hope this helps.

Yours,
Pio Nono