Should A Barren Woman Marry? And Other Sex Questions

[Footprints04]

Yes, I have to agree with a number of you. The only reason the marriage would be invalid, is if they are not able to consumate the marriage. It has nothing to do if the woman’s body does not allow for her to conceive or if the man doesn’t have a high enough sperm count, etc. Infertility is a widespread problem, even in Biblical times! Then if you remember, God has mercy on a few of the very faithful, blessing them with children when they are already passed the prime of their childbearing years.

So I say all these things, because I myself worry about being able to have children. I’ve had a variety of health issues and am trying to seek answers from pro-life doctors. I’m not married yet, but I worry about not being able to give my future husband children. In the end it comes down to this: yes, sex is also used to bring a couple closer together and closer to God. In this sense it is just fine for an infertile couple to marry. It then comes down to, whether they know for SURE, because they can always seek medical (those from pro-life views) to help them. Also the future husband must always be supportive and loving because this can be a pretty big burden for a woman to carry…believe me I know! If you say to a woman, “I love you only because you might be able to mother my children” in the sense that that is your reason to marry----then you might be using her as means to an end----thus objectifying the woman.

I hope some of these thoughts help!
~Footprints04

 

[rpp]

so if a woman divorced, who had a hysterectomy in her early adulthood after having three children (at the time not a catholic or even a Christian) that woman could not answer the question “yes” on allowing children in a future marriage… should that woman NOT marry again???

A woman who has had a hysterectomy can say she is open to children. How? By being willing to adopt. Though, of course, a barren couple is not required to adopt children.

Since the marital embrace is for both procreation and marital unity, then of course a woman who is unable to bear children can marry. Just like a man who is infertile can marry.

As has been stated ad nauseum here, only those people who are **permanently **physically or emotionally incapable of consummating a marriage (among other requirements) are instructed not to marry.

 

[Sixtus]

Liberanosamalo posted:

Re: Should A Barren Woman Marry? And Other Sex Questions…
Female infertility (or male infertility is no barrier to marriage.) God is known to work miracles when it comes to barren women bearing children. As long as every act is open to God’s gift of a child, you are fine.

Not every act of marriage results in a child, but every act should be open to the possibility.

There are many times in a woman’s regular cycle when a woman is naturally infertile, and marital relations during that time are unitive and a source of grace from God.

 

[Verbum_Caro]

Hi Deborah, welcome to the forum!

I just wanted to bring up a small, but important point. You said:

In order for a marriage to be valid, it must be consumated.

As I understand it, that is not quite accurate. You can have a valid sacrament without consummation. Prior to consumation, however, a valid marriage is potentially dissolvable. After consummation a valid marriage is indissolvable, except by the death of the spouse.

Therefore consummation of a marriage affects the status of the sacrament, but does not affect validity.

So, all of you married and soon to be married people, don’t worry, you were or will be sacramentally married (assuming everything else is in order) on the way to the reception!

Like I said Deborah, it’s a small point, and I hope you don’t mind my tangent. Welcome to the forums again!

VC

 

[Altesse]

Just a guess here, but I’m pretty sure God created “Horniness” so we would actually want to have sex. It’s part of the whole package.

LOL:thumbsup:

On the adoption thoughts, I heard a speaker who had adopted several children from around the world. When someone asked if he (meaning wife also) would adopt more, he said " I don’t know, but I will keep looking until I find all the ones that are mine."

 

[manualman]

People have the strangest notions about church and sex!

What is objectionable about contraception is that it is an act of VIOLENCE against the genuine sexual intimacy of marriage. The couple takes a specific, voluntary, purposeful act to grab the gratification of sex and reject the fecundity of it.

Those who are infertile due to illness, age or accident and unable to conceive commit no violence against God’s plan for married sexuality.

It’s that simple.

 

[rpp]

People have the strangest notions about church and sex!

What is objectionable about contraception is that it is an act of VIOLENCE against the genuine sexual intimacy of marriage. The couple takes a specific, voluntary, purposeful act to grab the gratification of sex and reject the fecundity of it.

Those who are infertile due to illness, age or accident and unable to conceive commit no violence against God’s plan for married sexuality.

It’s that simple.

Well put!

 

[adam_in_ohio]

One must be OPEN to children. meaning if ya get nocked up, yea the Lord wants you to have a babby. If not, practus practus practus!!
All jokeing aside, 1654 CCC “Spouses to whom God has not granted children can nevereless HAVE a conjugal life full of meaning, in both human abd Christian terms. Their marriage can radiate a fruitfulness of charity, of hospitality, and of sacrifice”

 

[Yerusalyim]

Infertility is not an impediment to marriage. The Code of Canon Law (1080?) states that ANTECEDENT and PERMENANT impotence on the part of man or woman IS an impediment to marriage.