Why is impotence an impediment to marriage, but not infertility?

[JimG]

The exchange of consent isn’t enough to complete a marriage. Consummation is necessary. That is why an unconsummated marriage can be annulled. If there is no consummation, it doesn’t matter if consent was given.

There may be exceptions made in certain instances for those who choose specifically to enter into a marriage without the intent of sex, but that is an exception and doesn’t mean the rule doesn’t exist.

Marriage is intended for the mutual benefit of the spouses and the procreation of children. It’s how the command to ‘increase and multiply’ is fulfilled. But I am not aware of any “rule” relating to mandatory sex in marriage. Each spouse has a marital right to intercourse, but as far as I know, there is no rule about a mutual decision to refrain from sex. Such a rule has not, I think, been necessary.

 

[Vico]

The exchange of consent isn’t enough to complete a marriage. Consummation is necessary. That is why an unconsummated marriage can be annulled. If there is no consummation, it doesn’t matter if consent was given.

There may be exceptions made in certain instances for those who choose specifically to enter into a marriage without the intent of sex, but that is an exception and doesn’t mean the rule doesn’t exist.

A valid sacramental marriage marriage which has not been consummated, may be dissolved, which is not annulment.CIC

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.

Can. 1085 §1. A person bound by the bond of a prior marriage, even if it was not consummated, invalidly attempts marriage.

Can. 1142 For a just cause, the Roman Pontiff can dissolve a non-consummated marriage between baptized persons or between a baptized party and a non-baptized party at the request of both parties or of one of them, even if the other party is unwilling.

 

[Elizium23]

The exchange of consent isn’t enough to complete a marriage. Consummation is necessary. That is why an unconsummated marriage can be annulled. If there is no consummation, it doesn’t matter if consent was given.

There may be exceptions made in certain instances for those who choose specifically to enter into a marriage without the intent of sex, but that is an exception and doesn’t mean the rule doesn’t exist.

Incorrect. An unconsummated valid marriage can be dissolved.

Can. 1142 A non-consummated marriage between baptised persons or between a baptised party and an unbaptised party can be dissolved by the Roman Pontiff for a just reason, at the request of both parties or of either party, even if the other is unwilling.

This is not an annulment! This acknowledges that there was a valid bond in the first place, that is one formed by mutual exchange of consent.