Can we receive Communion while in mortal sin?

[mel21]

I was under the impression you can only receive the Eucharist after you went to confession. A priest told me that it is okay to receive it even if we have sinned. He said if we waited till we’re perfect, or free of mortal sins, then we would never receive it. Is what he said wrong?

 

[Michelle_Arnold]

If the priest told you that “if we waited till we’re perfect, *or free of mortal sins *[emphasis added], then we would never receive [the Eucharist],” then he was incorrect. We should not present ourselves for Communion if we know we are in a state of mortal sin. However, if we are not sure if the sins are mortal or if the sins are venial, then we can receive Communion, as reception of the Eucharist forgives venial sins. Since it is very strange for a priest to say that those in mortal sin can receive the Eucharist, I suspect you misunderstood him and are conflating the absence of mortal sin with sinless perfection.