What is the Church's teaching on cohabitation?

[fwon2638]

What is the Church’s stance on cohabitation? Is it sinful or immoral per se? What if the a man and his girlfriend did not have any sexual relationship for the entire period of cohabitation?

Can you give me some good articles on this particular topic?

Thanks

 

[Peggy_Frye]

Catechism of the Catholic Church:

2391 Some today claim a “right to a trial marriage” where there is an intention of getting married later. However firm the purpose of those who engage in premature sexual relations may be, "the fact is that such liaisons can scarcely ensure mutual sincerity and fidelity in a relationship between a man and a woman, nor, especially, can they protect it from inconstancy of desires or whim."184 Carnal union is morally legitimate only when a definitive community of life between a man and woman has been established. Human love does not tolerate “trial marriages.” It demands a total and definitive gift of persons to one another.

Q: What if the a man and his girlfriend did not have any sexual relationship for the entire period of cohabitation?

Even if a couple does not engage in sexual relations for the entire time of cohabitation, their “shacking up” gives scandal and can be become an occassion of sin. For “the person who gives scandal becomes his neighbor’s tempter. He damages virtue and integrity; he may even draw his brother into spiritual death. Scandal is a grave offense if by deed or omission another is deliberately led into a grave offense"(CCC no. 2284). “Temptations to sin are sure to come; but woe to him by whom they come!” Luke 17:1

Further reading:
Familiaris Consortio nos. 81-84

Cohabitation and the Church’s Moral Teaching

Cohabitating couples

God bless you!