Are these divorced people able to receive Holy Communion?

[Michael038]

There are some relatives in my family that were married in the Catholic church in 1956. They were divorced in 1968. The man remarried a Luthern woman who he had been married to for 21 years before she passed away. He is now attending Mass but is not receiving the Eucharist or any of the sacraments. The woman is attending mass and receives the eucharist. She claims that since he divorced her she is entitled to the eucharist. Is this correct? Also, what will this man need to do in order to get back in full communion with the church?

 

[Fr.Vincent_Serpa]

Dear Michael,

If the woman never attempted marriage with anyone else, she may indeed receive Holy Communion. Divorce does not prevent Catholics from receiving the Eucharist. The Church allows civil divorce for the equitable division of possessions that were held in common. It’s attempting to marry after divorce that is not allowed because the Church still considers the couple to be married in God’s sight.

Since the man’s wife from his invalid marriage has died, he may receive Holy Communion after having gone to Confession.

Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P.