Not being able to have children

[stefina]

I wrote this question yesterday on ask an apologist, but i couldnt see my response? anyways i will say it on here…

I was wondering when you get married in the catholic church and you and your spouse try to have children and you find out later down the road that there is something wrong with one of you that wont allow you to have your own children, what would happen in this case? since getting married catholic=having a family. Is divorce allowed in this case? or adoption?

Thanks!

 

[kevinsgirl]

I wrote this question yesterday on ask an apologist, but i couldnt see my response? anyways i will say it on here…

I was wondering when you get married in the catholic church and you and your spouse try to have children and you find out later down the road that there is something wrong with one of you that wont allow you to have your own children, what would happen in this case? since getting married catholic=having a family. Is divorce allowed in this case? or adoption?

Thanks!

First off, the validity of a marriage is in no way determined by the ability to have children. Infertility is a cross many good Catholic couples face. Some choose to pursue infertility treatments that are approved by the Church (some fertility drugs and certain treatments but not IVF or IUI). Some choose to adopt. And some choose to remain childless. All are acceptable paths for a Catholic couple to take.

HTH!

KG

ETA: Getting married = being open to God’s plan for children in your life. That does not mean every couple will be blessed with children.

 

[Eucharisted]

Adoption yes, divorce no.

Thank you, come again.

 

[Em_in_FL]

From the Catechism… (link)

2379
The Gospel shows that physical sterility is not an absolute evil. Spouses who still suffer from infertility after exhausting legitimate medical procedures should unite themselves with the Lord’s Cross, the source of all spiritual fecundity. They can give expression to their generosity by adopting abandoned children or performing demanding services for others.

 

[basilisk]

Why in the world would divorce be the first thing that jumps into your mind? How would the compounding tragedy of divorce improve or repair the tragedy of infertility? Why would the Church sanction the breaking of a sacramental bond because of a medical problem? I don’t even know how the mind makes that leap…

Of course adoption is “allowed.” The Church encourages adoption as an alternative to abortion… so who is supposed to adopt all those babies? Why would the Church encourage adoption over abortion, but then not allow Catholic couples to adopt children?

 

[stefina]

thanks for your answers… and with the divorce thing it was only a question, not saying i would ever think about it, it crossed by mind cause i have heard of that happening in some cases just wanted to make it clear.

again thanks!

 

[SMHW]

The only time I can imagine sterility being an issue is in the case of a woman I once knew. Her husband was sterile prior to the marriage and knew about it. (I have no idea how he know.) But he never told her about it until years later.

It’s my understanding that she was able to get an annulment. Not because he was sterile per say but because he withheld the information.