Q: My husband wants to allow his sister and his long-term boyfriend to stay at our home. I know they vacation together often and share rooms, but my husband says he’ll tell them to sleep in separate rooms in our home. But I’m uneasy about them staying together under our roof. When we vacationed together in the past we caught her sneaking into his room in the middle of the night. I’m concerned about the example it sets for our family, especially our children, and the possibility of inappropriate behavior. I feel this could be a mortal sin, and I’m unsure how to handle it. What do you think? — V.

Answered by Fr. Edward McIlmail, LC:

It sounds as though your concerns are well-founded, especially since your sister-in-law was sneaking into her friend’s bedroom in the past.

If she hasn’t previously respected the rules she agreed to with you and your spouse, it’s understandable that you don’t want to risk exposing your children to scandalous behavior in your own home.

It seems that you would be justified in wanting to ban her and her friend from sleeping under your roof at the same time.

You could propose a compromise. You might let her stay overnight in your home on the condition that her friend sleep in other accommodations.

It might help her to feel the consequences of her decisions.

It will certainly send a clear message about the kind of Christian home life you are trying to cultivate.