Marriage Question.

[Nelka]

I keep reading that two Catholics that wish to be married must be open to children, so what about these scenarios?

1. Two Catholics, neither have been married before but the woman has had a hysterectomy, can they marry?
2. Two Catholics, neither have been married before but they are older and the woman is post-menopausal, can they marry?
3. Two Catholics, neither have been married before but the man has had both testicles removed due to testicular cancer.

Would the first people in each scenario have to remain single forever and the second person in each scenario have to find love elsewhere or could these marriages happen?

Thanks.

 

[TraderTif]

Assuming that all these people are capable of having sexual intercourse, then I’m failing to see what would prevent any of these marriages?? Infertility or sterility are not impediments to marriage…

 

[thistle]

I keep reading that two Catholics that wish to be married must be open to children, so what about these scenarios?

1. Two Catholics, neither have been married before but the woman has had a hysterectomy, can they marry?
2. Two Catholics, neither have been married before but they are older and the woman is post-menopausal, can they marry?
3. Two Catholics, neither have been married before but the man has had both testicles removed due to testicular cancer.

Would the first people in each scenario have to remain single forever and the second person in each scenario have to find love elsewhere or could these marriages happen?

Thanks.

1. YES they can marry.
2. YES they can marry.
3. YES they can marry if the man’s operation has not rendered him permanently impotent. If it has then they cannot marry.

As the other poster said infertility/sterility is not an impediment to marriage whereas impotence is an impediment.

 

[fpt]

I keep reading that two Catholics that wish to be married must be open to children, so what about these scenarios?

1. Two Catholics, neither have been married before but the woman has had a hysterectomy, can they marry?

Yes, of course.

If hysterectomy is linked to a medical real issue, no wrong act. Thus she does not need to confess it before the wedding.

If hysterectomy is not linked to a medical real issue (for the contraception), wrong act, thus she needs to confess it before the wedding.

In all the situations, she must say the truth to her future husband about her hysterectomy, otherwise the nullity of marriage could be justified (law suit action coming from him).

1. Two Catholics, neither have been married before but they are older and the woman is post-menopausal, can they marry?

Yes of course. No issue, per se.

1. Two Catholics, neither have been married before but the man has had both testicles removed due to testicular cancer.

No, because he is touched by an absolute and perpetual impotence. Without testicule how to be virile and potent, sexually speaking!!! Do you believe that the medecine can find out a pill permitting the erection of penis of a man without testicule!!! I am waiting.

 

[MaryT777]

Deacon Jeff,

So then a man can obtain a prosthesis for the sole purpose of procreation and that is a acceptable to the Church is what I am understanding. Thus this meets Church requirements for a valid marriage?

Is this correct?

Mary.

 

[Nelka]

All good but if a man had his (main procreative organ) blown off in an explosion, he can never marry?

 

[thistle]

All good but if a man had his (main procreative organ) blown off in an explosion, he can never marry?

If a man would never be able to consummate a marriage then he would not be allowed to marry.

 

[Rau]

If a man would never be able to consummate a marriage then he would not be allowed to marry.

Correct. An inability to consummate a marriage prevents a valid marriage (per Canon Law):

Can. 1084 §1 Antecedent and perpetual impotence to have sexual intercourse, whether on the part of the man or on that of the woman, whether absolute or relative, by its very nature invalidates marriage.

The meaning of consummation is explained in Canon Law:

Can. 1061 §1. A valid marriage between the baptized is called ratum tantum if it has not been consummated; it is called ratum et consummatum if the spouses have performed between themselves in a human fashion a conjugal act which is suitable in itself for the procreation of offspring, to which marriage is ordered by its nature and by which the spouses become one flesh.

Sterility does not prevent consummation, but impotence does.