What does the Church of England teach about sex outside marriage?
In short
The Church of England's official teaching still places sexual intimacy within marriage. The House of Bishops' 2023 draft pastoral guidance restates this, and Lambeth Resolution I.10 (1998) holds that abstinence is right for those not called to marriage. In practice, churches routinely marry couples who already live together, and debate within the Church continues.
What the full article will cover
- What is the Church of England's official position on sex outside marriage?
- What did Issues in Human Sexuality (1991) say?
- How does Lambeth Resolution I.10 fit in?
- What has Living in Love and Faith changed?
- How do parishes treat cohabiting couples who want to marry?
- Is there disagreement within the Church?
Frequently asked questions
- Can an unmarried couple who live together marry in a Church of England church?
- Is sex before marriage a sin according to the Church of England?
- Has the Church of England changed its teaching on sex?
- Are clergy held to different standards from lay people?
Sources
- churchofengland.org — https://www.churchofengland.org/node/1613
- churchofengland.org — https://www.churchofengland.org/sites/default/files/2023-10/gs-2328-llf-nov-2023.pdf
- iarccum.org — https://iarccum.org/doc/2158
- ons.gov.uk — https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/marriagecohabitationandcivilpartnerships/bulletins/marriagesinenglandandwalesprovisional/2021and2022
General information, not legal or religious advice.