What Does the Catholic Church Say About Cohabitation Before Marriage?
The Catholic Church teaches that living together before marriage is not consistent with God’s plan for sexual love and the gift of self that marriage requires. Cohabitation mimics marriage without the covenant – and that matters, because the covenant is what makes the gift total, free, faithful, and fruitful. The Deeper Story I know this teaching can feel out of touch. Nearly everyone you know might be living together before marriage. And the reasoning sounds practical: “We want to make sure we’re compatible.” “It saves money.” “We’re basically married anyway.” ...