How is this relationship seriously sinful now?

[ftd]

If a man and woman are living together as brother and sister wherein previously they were co-habitating in the fullest sense of the word, is this considered sinful. Let’s say they were living apart after the relationship broke up, but joined forces for economic and expedient reasons. While I have been told this could be scandalous, I am reminded that, correct me if I am in error, Mary and Joseph lived celebatet lives but wouldn’t the appearance to outsiders suggest otherwise??

 

[Fr.Vincent_Serpa]

Dear friend,

Mary and Joseph were understood to be married. So their living together was not scandalous. For a man and a woman, who are known to not be married to each other, to be living together can be a scandal as well as a counter-sign to married life. But if the couple where known to have been living in sin, then it would definitely be a scandal and a mortal sin. Marriage means something. Marriage matters!

Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P.