CAN AN IMPOTENT MAN BECOME A ROMAN CATHOLIC PRIEST?

 My Answer may surprise you…”

According to Church law, impotence is not an impediment to priesthood. Since priests are celibate, sexual function isn’t required for ordination.

But in Nigeria, it’s common for dioceses to require an impotence test before ordination. And not everyone is okay with that.

Take My friend Emeka, a seminarian in his final year. After 9 years of formation, prayer, and study, he received a letter from the diocesan office:

“All candidates are to undergo a full medical exam, including an impotence test.”

He was shocked. Why test something I’ll never use? he wondered. Isn’t celibacy enough? Emeka felt hurt — like his spiritual journey was being reduced to a medical report. 

In places like Nigeria, where priests are deeply visible figures, this step is more than medical — it’s pastoral prudence. It guards the Church, the priest, and the people of God.

So yes, an impotent man can become a priest. But in some places, the path includes unexpected tests — not out of mistrust, but out of love and responsibility.

Before ordination: Can impotence affect a man’s ordination?

Yes and No

According to Canon Law, there is no requirement for a man to be sexually potent in order to be ordained a priest.

But… in practice, it can become a concern if:

1. It’s linked to deeper medical or psychological issues

If the impotence is part of a larger health condition (e.g., hormonal imbalance, severe anxiety, trauma, or a congenital disorder), the bishop or superiors may pause or postpone ordination — not because of the impotence itself, but to assess:

Can he handle the rigors of ministry?

Is he emotionally and mentally stable?

Will he need ongoing treatment or support?

2. It raises questions about transparency or maturity

If the seminarian hides his condition or is dishonest about it, that can be more problematic than the impotence itself. The Church values truthfulness, transparency, and readiness.

3. Local customs or expectations apply

In some dioceses (like parts of Nigeria), the impotence test is a local requirement. If a candidate fails the test, the bishop may delay or withhold ordination — not because of Canon Law, but because of pastoral concerns, cultural expectations, or the potential for scandal.

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