questions on marriage annulments

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faithfulservant said:
  1. does an individual have to get their marriage annulled after divorcing before they can receive any sacraments of the Church?
As long as the individual remains single after the divorce he or she can participate in the sacraments of the Church. If the person desires marriage again, the previous marriage must be annulled before participation in the sacraments is granted to the couple.
  1. does an individual have to get their marriage annulled after divorcing before they can become an EMHC?
No, but if the EMHC desires to marry again, he or she must have their first marriage annulled in order for the second marriage to be recognized by the Church. On a personal note, I believe that an EMHC should be free of mortal sin when distributing Holy Communion, but that’s just me.
  1. can a candidate who is dating a Catholic come into the Church before getting his marriage annulled?
A candidate who is dating a Catholic may come into the Church before getting his previous marriage annulled. However, if that person is Protestant, he cannot receive the Eucharist. If Catholic, he can receive the sacraments as long as the couple is not living together.

3a) assume the individual was indeed brought into the Church…received Holy Communion, and was Confirmed after making his first confession… is still dating the Catholic, has not got his marriage annulled, and has not gone for any subsequent confessions… should that individual validly receive Holy Communion worthily?

OK. If the individual has gone through instruction in the Faith, has made his first Confession, received the Eucharist, received Confirmation, that person is a Catholic.

If he is ‘dating’ a Catholic, this should have no bearing on his reception of the sacraments. But if he is entertaining the idea of getting married to the person he is dating, again, the previous marriage will have to be annulled. There is, however, no guarantee of this. If he gets married outside of the Catholic Church, he will not be able to receive the sacraments.

any documentation cites would be appreciated…
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faithfulservant said:
  1. does an individual have to get their marriage annulled after divorcing before they can receive any sacraments of the Church?
Only if they have civilly remarried.
  1. does an individual have to get their marriage annulled after divorcing before they can become an EMHC?
Same answer as no 1.
  1. can a candidate who is dating a Catholic come into the Church before getting his marriage annulled?
Yes, as long as there is no civil marriage (but dating anyone until the Church decides if they can give the first “marriage” a Decree of Nullity is likely sinning - if only in thought - and causing scandal).

3a) assume the individual was indeed brought into the Church…received Holy Communion, and was Confirmed after making his first confession… is still dating the Catholic, has not got his marriage annulled, and has not gone for any subsequent confessions… should that individual validly receive Holy Communion worthily?

No (see answer #2), and it may well be that the first confession was not truly valid - if there was not firm purpose of amendment in it. In other words, if there was really no firm intention to choose to not date while still married to the first spouse.

any documentation cites would be appreciated…
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catholicculture.org/culture/what_you_need_to_know/index.cfm?id=68
 
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