An appearance of sin

[Chortle]

Does Church teaching address the issue of “appearance of sin”? For example, is it okay for a man and a woman to move in with each other even if they aren’t actually doing anything illicit? I ask this because the confirmation teacher at our church is living with a woman he refers to as his “partner”. This appears sinful to me, but it could be (I haven’t asked) that they aren’t doing anything illicit. I worry that this relationship could bring scandal and be a corrupting influence to our young people just by its very appearance. I’d prefer that they were properly married.

 

[Atreyu]

Does Church teaching address the issue of “appearance of sin”? For example, is it okay for a man and a woman to move in with each other even if they aren’t actually doing anything illicit? I ask this because the confirmation teacher at our church is living with a woman he refers to as his “partner”. This appears sinful to me, but it could be (I haven’t asked) that they aren’t doing anything illicit. I worry that this relationship could bring scandal and be a corrupting influence to our young people just by its very appearance. I’d prefer that they were properly married.

I’ll let someone else answer your question more fully, but yes the Church does teach against this. We should make every effort to reduce to occasion for scandal. Hopefully someone else can expand a bit on that!

 

[JezuUfamTobie]

Here is a related answer from the Ask an Apologist forum:

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=18880

"In the case of chaste cohabitation, if there is just cause for chastely rooming with a non-relative of the opposite sex that is proportionate to the high likelihood of the scandal to be given, it is theoretically true that one could engage in chaste cohabitation. But given the range of alternate options available for most people, in most cases its necessity will be rare.

“In those rare cases where chaste cohabitation is necessary, it would seem prudent to minimize scandal as much as possible within one’s social circle by explaining to those who care about the couple that it is only a roommate relationship. To those outside one’s social circle who do not otherwise know of the living arrangements, it would seem prudent to refrain from mentioning them, if possible.”

 

[Chortle]

Thank you very, very much for your responses. God indeed gives us His wisdom and prudence.

 

[setter]

Does Church teaching address the issue of “appearance of sin”? For example, is it okay for a man and a woman to move in with each other even if they aren’t actually doing anything illicit? I ask this because the confirmation teacher at our church is living with a woman he refers to as his “partner”. This appears sinful to me, but it could be (I haven’t asked) that they aren’t doing anything illicit. I worry that this relationship could bring scandal and be a corrupting influence to our young people just by its very appearance. I’d prefer that they were properly married.

This is scandalous public behavior and should be reported to the religious education teacher and also the parish priest.

 

[boppaid]

This is scandalous public behavior and should be reported to the religious education teacher and also the parish priest.

I don’t understand what makes it scandalous. I see nothing in the Bible, nor in the catechism that says friendship and sharing a home are sinful unless you are married. That’s strange to me. What is the basis of said sin, and where can I find that in Church teaching?

(I’m not trying to be snotty…I truly wonder. I lived with two men once - and 3 girls - in college. The reason was simply that we could not afford rent otherwise, and we didn’t want to invite strangers to live with us…we wanted people we knew well, who we could trust. So, if the Church teaches somewhere that I sinned, I really need to see where, officially, it says that.)

 

[JezuUfamTobie]

I don’t understand what makes it scandalous. I see nothing in the Bible, nor in the catechism that says friendship and sharing a home are sinful unless you are married. That’s strange to me. What is the basis of said sin, and where can I find that in Church teaching?

(I’m not trying to be snotty…I truly wonder. I lived with two men once - and 3 girls - in college. The reason was simply that we could not afford rent otherwise, and we didn’t want to invite strangers to live with us…we wanted people we knew well, who we could trust. So, if the Church teaches somewhere that I sinned, I really need to see where, officially, it says that.)

I posted a link to a question on the AAA forum in post #3, above. You might find it helpful to see an apologist’s take on the issue.

Personally, I don’t think that a group living situation (like the one you describe) is scandalous. It’s when one man and one woman live together that other people tend to assume something more is going on.

 

[LeahInancsi]

Appearances are everything. Almost everything.

This Confirmation teacher needs to be removed from his teaching position. No telling what else he’s been telling his class.