An impotent decision

An Italian bishop has told a young paraplegic man that he cannot be married by the Catholic Church because he is impotent, according to Agence France-Presse. Says AFP: Salvatore de Ciuco, spokesman for Bishop Lorenzo Chiarinelli of Viterbo in central Italy, said: “No bishop, no priest can celebrate a wedding when he knows of admitted […]

An Italian bishop has told a young paraplegic man that he cannot be married by the Catholic Church because he is impotent, according to Agence France-Presse.

Says AFP:

Salvatore de Ciuco, spokesman for Bishop Lorenzo Chiarinelli of Viterbo in central Italy, said: “No bishop, no priest can celebrate a wedding when he knows of admitted impotence as it is a motive for annulment” of the marriage.


The 26-year-old groom, married instead in a civil ceremony Saturday in Viterbo, has been paraplegic since he was involved in a car accident.

The curate of the parish who was banned from marrying the couple was present at the ceremony.

Donate to Support Independent Journalism!

Donate Now!