Can Divorced Catholics Take Communion?

Divorced Catholics taking Communion has raised questions for many years

The Catechism of the Catholic Church in Articles 2382-2386 speaks directly to the issue of divorced Catholics. Basically, the Church does not recognize divorce. It views marriage as sacrament and, therefore, "indissoluble . . . by any human power or for any reason other than death."

Recognition of Civil Divorces

The Catholic Church acknowledges the large number of divorces in modern society and argues, in Article 2383, that the "separation" of spouses, a civil divorce, may be legitimate under certain circumstances. A civil divorce does not constitute a moral offense if it is the only possible way to ensure certain legal rights, care of children, or protection of inheritance.

Question of Communion

According to Articles 1650-1651, Catholics who are divorced but have received the Sacrament of Reconciliation and live in "complete continence," or sexual restraint, and desire to live and raise their children in a Christian manner should be "encouraged to attend the sacrifice of the Mass." This means that if civilly divorced Catholics are keeping their marital obligations, then they can receive Holy Communion, which is the apex of the Mass.

Remarriage and Communion

Article 1650 specifically states that if a Catholic is divorced and remarried civilly, without a Declaration of Nullity (Annulment), the Catholic is living contrary to God's law, also known as not being in the proper disposition, and "cannot receive Eucharistic Communion as long as this situation persists."

References

• "The Catechism of the Catholic Church"; The Holy See; 1994

Resources

• Catechism online