Faith Leaders Urge 6-Month Chastity Before Marriage as 70% of Engaged Couples Still Cohabit
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Jun 15
Faith Leaders Urge 6-Month Chastity Before Marriage as 70% of Engaged Couples Still Cohabit
2 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jun 15
Summary
Fr. Matt DeGance tells engaged couples in pre-marital counseling to abstain from sex during the six months before their wedding, even if they already live together, arguing the practice strengthens marriage.
70% of couples seeking counseling at his Florida parish are cohabiting, but he says that share has fallen from nearly all couples five years ago as more young Catholics return to church.
40 to 50 weddings are expected this year at St. Helen's Church, an uptick DeGance links to a broader religious revival and to marriage-focused work with nonprofit Communio.
Communio says 85% of churches spend nothing on marriage ministry and only 28% offer substantive programs, even as its research ties family decline to faith decline.
The group also cites studies showing cohabiting couples face 60% to 80% higher divorce rates, framing chastity and non-cohabitation as part of a wider push for stability among young believers.