Can I validly receive the Eucharist?

[missyc01]

Question: I am a recent convert to Catholicism. I completed RCIA and was confirmed Easter 2012. During the RCIA classes, I told my instructor that my husband had previously been married and divorced. I was told that since this was my first and only marriage, there was no problem. Now I am wondering if that is true? Recent discussions about communion for the divorced and remarried have confused and troubled me. Thank you for any advice!

 

[Fr.Vincent_Serpa]

Dear friend,

Your instructor was in error. You need to speak to you priest about this. He needs to see if your husband can get his first marriage annulled. The Church ordinarily recognizes the marriages of non-Catholics to be valid.

If an annulment is not possible, you would be able to receive the sacraments if you lived in a celibate way which you should be living in right now. You are in our prayers. Also, the instructor needs to be informed regarding the Church’s teaching on such matters.

Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P.