A priest at St. Helen’s Church in Vero Beach, Florida, Fr. Matt DeGance, advises engaged couples to refrain from having sex during the six-month waiting period before their wedding. This approach may seem countercultural, but data shows that couples who wait may have stronger marriages.
The Importance of Chastity Before Marriage
Fr. Matt DeGance, a priest at St. Helen’s Church, has seen a significant increase in weddings at his church, likely due to the reported religious revival in the Catholic Church. However, he notes that only about 5-10% of couples getting married in the United States are virgins at the altar.
Fr. Matt’s brother, JP DeGance, founded a nonprofit organization called Communio, which aims to strengthen marriages by helping young people form healthier relationships. Their research shows that there is a direct link between family decline and faith decline.
The Dangers of Cohabitation
JP DeGance notes that cohabitation does not guarantee a successful marriage and may even increase the divorce rate. In fact, data shows that couples who cohabitate have a 60-80% higher divorce rate. Fr. Matt adds that marriage is about commitment and sacrifice, which can be more difficult to achieve when couples live together before marriage.
Fr. Matt introduces couples to the theology of the body, which emphasizes the importance of honoring and reverencing human sexuality. He also encourages couples to sleep in separate rooms before marriage, which has proven to be effective in some cases.
A Direct Line Between the Sexual Revolution and Marriage Decline
JP DeGance notes that there is a direct line between the rising number of people with no religious affiliation and the genesis of the sexual revolution. The data shows that kids raised in non-marital households are more likely to have no religious affiliation.
Fr. Matt believes that faith is essential for building strong, healthy marriages. He encourages couples to prioritize their faith and to make a commitment to each other, which can lead to a more fulfilling and lasting relationship.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
