Can a putative marriage become valid?

[dachsprache]

Can a marriage that was initially invalid (but not because of an impediment) become valid later on? In particular, if a couple had entered marriage intending never to have children, but subsequently changed their minds and had a child, behaving in all respects as a normal married couple, would the marriage remain invalid? And if so, what would need to be done to make it valid?

 

[Fr.Vincent_Serpa]

Dear friend,

The intention of never having children does indeed invalidate what would have been a valid marriage, all things being considered. If the couple should change their intention and decide to be open to having children, then the marriage becomes valid. I just dealt with a couple who did this.

Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P.