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The SacramentsEssentials

If a person is infertile, can he marry in the Catholic Church?

The Sacraments

The short answer

Yes. Infertility — the inability to conceive children — is not an impediment to marriage. Permanent and irreversible impotence — the inability to consummate the marriage — is an impediment, because the couple must be able to consummate it.

Infertility vs. impotence

Infertility is the inability to procreate; it is not an impediment to marriage. Impotence is the inability to consummate a marriage through marital relations.

When impotence is an impediment

Impotence known at the time of the wedding to be permanent and irreversible prevents marriage, because the couple must be capable of consummating it. If there is reason to think it can be treated or reversed, the couple may marry.