Josephite Marriage

[timothy_bauer]

Advice:

Have received conflicting advice to the question below.
Is it permissable if both parties agree to a “Josephite Marriage”-
both parties are of 50 and out of child bearing age. If the couple
is in love but wish for themselves and partner to become holier
and believe this way is the best, is this O.K? It seems it depends on which priest or spiritual director you contact what
the opinion is.
Is there an official position when children are
no longer possible. I know in Catholic history-have been marri-
ages where a Josephite marriage has happened. Any official
info would be helpful.

Timothy Bauer
Reno, Nevada

 

[Aramis]

Advice:

Have received conflicting advice to the question below.
Is it permissable if both parties agree to a “Josephite Marriage”-
both parties are of 50 and out of child bearing age. If the couple
is in love but wish for themselves and partner to become holier
and believe this way is the best, is this O.K? It seems it depends on which priest or spiritual director you contact what
the opinion is.
Is there an official position when children are
no longer possible. I know in Catholic history-have been marri-
ages where a Josephite marriage has happened. Any official
info would be helpful.

Timothy Bauer
Reno, Nevada

Humanae Vitae and later make it clear that, while a non-procreative marriage is not the ideal, it also is not an impediment to a valid sacramental marriage.

But, by the same token, some elderly couples HAVE been surprised when God decided to grace them with a child, and they must be open to that possibility.

 

[Andreas_Hofer]

Consummation is required to fully enact the indissolubility of the marriage, but it is not required for the validity and permanence of the bond. I would think, though, that one would have to make sure to take some sort of official vows regarding the continence within the Josephite marriage, as marriage gives rise to what is known as the “marriage debt” - the obligation to accede to reasonable requests for marital relations - and without some sort of formal vow I would think a partner could back out of the arrangement later on and legitimately demand normal relations.

 

[Aramis]

From what’s in canon law and HV, I pretty much agree with Adreas about the Vows. A totally chaste marriage is neither normative nor prohibited.

Even when consummation is impossible (due to injury or disease), a sacramental marriage is possible.

And there is still the possibility of winding up with a child… sole surviving relative or such…