Can an impotent couple kiss?

[StarsAndClouds]

There is a faithful Catholic couple, who wanted to get married but were not allowed to do so (it has been confirmed that the male is permanently impotent). Both of them have been aware of this medical condition from the beginning of their relationship, but they did not know that this will prevent them from getting married. According to them, inner beauty is what attracts them. It looks like their feelings for each other have not changed – after all, this kind of determination is necessary when deciding to get married. Is this couple allowed to kiss? Are they even allowed to consider themselves a couple?

 

[Michelle_Arnold]

If this couple has been told that they are not free to marry because the man’s impotency has been determined to be permanent, then they are not free to engage in the kind of relationship that acts as a preparation for marriage. That means that they may not act as a “couple” or engage in romantic intimacy. In fact, unless he happens to be cured, the man should never again allow himself to become involved in a romantic relationship. If they truly love each other, they will separate and free the other to find out the plans God truly has for each of them. Remaining together and engaging in romantic intimacy reserved to those free to marry only demonstrates a desire to use the other for some lesser purpose (e.g., to satisfy lust, to stave off loneliness, to reject the just authority of the Church).