can divorced people take Communion?

[porthos11]

Exactly. But even in the case of a malicious divorce, the perpetrator can receive communion if he/she takes steps to repent (including living chastely) and receives absolution. Restoration of the marriage, while wonderful if possible, is not required and in some cases would probably not be prudent.

Yes, of course. Prudence should be exercised in all cases. However, as in the case of all sin, part of contrition includes reparation. Since there was a real, tangible harm done here, the malicious spouse is obligated to repair the damage he did (either reconciliation, or some other suitable manner if that’s not possible).

 

[puzzleannie]

I may be wrong, but the person isn’t Catholic yet, and he has civil divorce and I ASSUMED his marriage wasn’t blessed in the church. How about this?

non-Catholics are not bound by Catholic marriage laws. Marriages between non-Catholics are considered valid until proven otherwise (such as becaues of a previously existing marriage or some impediment).

A divorced Catholic has access to the sacraments, including confession, and before receiving communion would of course have to confess all mortal sins, including those that may have contributed to the divorce.

Should the person wish to remarry they must of course first apply for an investigation by the marriage tribunal, and obtain a decree of nullity of the first marriage (which is by no means a sure thing).

 

[airforcemom]

What happens if one party wants to deny the other an annulment – is there some way around this for the party that wants to remarry. Would they take into consideration that the party denying the annulment is the party who wanted the divorce and has nothing to do with the Catholic Church anymore - it seems a shame that someone could be denied full participation in the church because of someone’s hate toward them.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

What happens if one party wants to deny the other an annulment – is there some way around this for the party that wants to remarry. Would they take into consideration that the party denying the annulment is the party who wanted the divorce and has nothing to do with the Catholic Church anymore - it seems a shame that someone could be denied full participation in the church because of someone’s hate toward them.

There is a difference between not participating in the investigation and defending the Marriage as being valid. The spouse that does not want to cooperate say a lot to the tribunal.

 

[FrankM]

Not every situation can be judged evenly. When a person goes to confession, the Priest immediately grants forgiveness, etc., and the person can then go freely to the altar for the Holy Eucharist. The sin is confessed. Heard, and forgiven. Immediate. No conditional forgiveness.
Now a woman who marries, then because of bigamy or some other illegal, intolerable condition must divorce her husband, then in time, finds a good christian man to marry, but because of the first marriage not being annulled, she is 'doomed and deemed to have mortal sin ’ around her neck, is forbidden to receive our Lord in Holy Communion.
Anyone who knows the story or a Priest who reads her testimony, would instantly see that the first marriage was null, and the woman would be granted an annullment. But in the Catholic church, she must Wait,and WAIT, and WAIT!!! Thank God that the people at the Wedding feast didn’t have to wait. Or any other one of our Lords glorious miracles. No wonder there are so many problems. This woman should be welcomed, and may Glory be Given to God for her goodness and when approaching the altar, the congregation sees one of their sisters is home.
No, instead, we see those phonies going in, receiving Communion, then rushing out, and watch out in the parking lot so they don’t run you down trying to leave. On the phone, making left turns when the sign says no. What an inspiration to see.
No, my Lord is the King of Kings!
Praise God!

 

[mdgspencer]

I got an annulment, and it only took about a year. I didn’t have to wait forever.
Some people asking for annulment cannot have one, so it turns out. The marriage tribunal has to go over things carefully. So I wouldn’t tell someone to go to communion who assumes their marriage can be annulled. Maybe the person was actually married and it cannot be annulled.
Mortal sin is a serious matter, and no one should not call the anger of God on their head.

Not every situation can be judged evenly. When a person goes to confession, the Priest immediately grants forgiveness, etc., and the person can then go freely to the altar for the Holy Eucharist. The sin is confessed. Heard, and forgiven. Immediate. No conditional forgiveness.
Now a woman who marries, then because of bigamy or some other illegal, intolerable condition must divorce her husband, then in time, finds a good christian man to marry, but because of the first marriage not being annulled, she is 'doomed and deemed to have mortal sin ’ around her neck, is forbidden to receive our Lord in Holy Communion.
Anyone who knows the story or a Priest who reads her testimony, would instantly see that the first marriage was null, and the woman would be granted an annullment. But in the Catholic church, she must Wait,and WAIT, and WAIT!!! Thank God that the people at the Wedding feast didn’t have to wait. Or any other one of our Lords glorious miracles. No wonder there are so many problems. This woman should be welcomed, and may Glory be Given to God for her goodness and when approaching the altar, the congregation sees one of their sisters is home.
No, instead, we see those phonies going in, receiving Communion, then rushing out, and watch out in the parking lot so they don’t run you down trying to leave. On the phone, making left turns when the sign says no. What an inspiration to see.
No, my Lord is the King of Kings!
Praise God!

 

[ConstantineTG]

The Church will only tolerate divorce if its done with a legitimate reason. If the reason is that one is undermining marriage (ie. just tired of the spouse, doesn’t want to fulfill the role of father, etc.) then going to confession is not enough. Because as long as that person is in that state, they are undermining the Sacrament of Marriage and is committing sin.

But if one is a victim of abuse, for example, then it legitimizes the need for a legal way to be apart from the spouse. Then the Church would tolerate the divorce and a good confession and a life of chastity would suffice.