Q. Can Rome encourage change in some of the ways divorce, remarriage, and
annulment teachings are delivered and how to truly minister to people?
A. Yes! But not at the expense of unchangeable truth and what is ultimately best for any person (greater holiness).
Too many myths and misunderstandings are being perpetuated
in this area of our faith. Rather than offer a quick “cheat sheet” on who and
who can’t receive Holy Communion, it’s important (and responsible) to
understand the beauty of Church teachings . . . which will not change because they come from the words of Christ. The laws are not about open-ended inclusivity or general
tolerance but about calling everyone
to the highest ways of living for their own holiness and happiness. That’s real
love. So please read these first:
Receiving Communion is not just about you
Receiving Holy Communion (the real and
true Person of Christ) has two dimensions: it’s an intimate, personal act
between you and the Person and Christ and is also a public act of being in communion
with the rest of his Body. The two are
never meant to be separated.
Receiving Holy Communion is reserved for those IN
Communion
The outward act of receiving the Eucharist is a visible, public sign of the
invisible union of your mind, will, and heart with Christ and his Church and
all that she proposes for your belief. Even though you may not fully understand
and perhaps not yet agree with some of her teachings, you choose in an act of the will to submit to her
authority and accept her teachings as true. That’s why those who are not yet received into the Catholic Church—and are thus not in full communion—are also asked to
refrain from the act of receiving Communion. It would be both an interior and exterior contradiction.
Receiving Communion has responsibilities
Receiving Holy Communion is a right for baptized Catholics (and a great
privilege)—but it comes with responsibilities. It’s not about going up to “get”
(take) something; it’s about opening to receive Christ himself. No one should
approach the Lord in a state of serious sin (deliberate and willful disobedience)
that would offend and grieve him!
No one in serious sin should approach for Communion
If one is in a state of grave sin—living in a way that is seriously not in
keeping with God’s laws—one should not receive Communion. This applies to all, married or not. Again, one
doesn’t demand that God give of himself in Communion when that person reserves
part of himself that he will not surrender to the Lord through his Church. Behind
every good law is love.
The Church is there to protect you and others
“The Church (His Bride) is given the authority to bind and loose from Christ
himself. She’s the keeper of the keys! (Matt 18:18)To protect the truth, to
uphold the dignity of the sacrament, and to avoid scandal (confusion,
misinformation, wrong teaching) to the rest of the Body, The Church has made
the best way clear and lives up to her faithfulness to Christ to keep us safe.
Marriage is considered valid until proved otherwise
All marriages between one man and one woman who exchanged consent (I do) are
presumed to be valid including between the baptized (sacramental marriage) or
un-baptized (natural marriage) until proved otherwise. This is usually done by
a competent church authority (tribunal/Bishop) but sometimes by the Pope.
The Church does not determine if a marriage is valid because it's already assumed valid until proved otherwise. She only determines—after thorough investigation—that a marriage bond was invalid (the true bond never formed when
the couple said I DO).
Civil marriages are valid; life, and love, and kids and
mortgages are certainly “valid”. But the findings of the Church in the area of
marriage have nothing to do with the civil law and are about another dimension
of marriage.
Sacramental Marriage is permanent
A valid sacramental marriage cannot be dissolved by anyone because it
images—and is considered to be irrevocably tied into—the permanent marriage of
Christ and his Church. That’s what sacraments do: they mystically but truly tie us into and allow us to draw on the powerful
graces of Christ’s marriage to his Bride.
Even Non-Catholic Marriages can be valid and sacramental
All validly baptized Christians (Catholic or not) are part of the one Body, one
Spirit, one Church. Therefore two baptized Christians are able to enter into
and draw on the graces of a sacrament.
That means the Church assumes two Protestants who exchanged vows have
contracted a valid sacramental marriage. That’s why divorced Protestants who wish to marry in the Catholic Church
need to go through the annulment process.
The marriage bond was formed—or not—at the wedding
Some argue that a lengthy civil marriage must be “valid” in
the eyes of the Church. But even if you’ve been civilly married for 20 years and
have three children, the Church may discover (with proof) that what was assumed to
be present at your wedding was not.
Some significant part of what makes a marriage bond form was defective or
missing—in you or the other person or both. This is not a reflection of who was good or bad, and is not a judgment
against persons, but an assessment of truth. It’s a complex issue that is worthy of deeper understanding and not just
an emotional or quick dismissal.
If you’re civilly divorced and not remarried
You can choose to go through the annulment process (seeking
a Decree of Nullity) or you can remain faithful to your vows regardless of how
your spouse lives. Both choices warrant careful consideration, solid research,
and consultation with a wise and holy priest or spiritual director.
If your spouse petitions for a Decree of Nullity and
receives one—despite your desires—you are no longer considered married in the
eyes of the Church even though you wish to be, or feel that you must live as
married. Some in this situation never remarry and choose to beautifully offer their lives
in reparation for the past and for the good of the former spouse.
Who should not receive Communion (see Canon Law 912-921)
Anyone in the state of serious sin or not in full communion with Christ and his Church who has not yet been to confession. (Except, if one is truly repentant and unable to get to confession but makes a perfect Act of Contrition. After receiving, he/she should get to the Sacrament of Reconciliation as soon as possible.)
If one publicly and
obstinately persists in grave sin (living in adultery, promoting abortion,
et al) Canon Law (915) requires that person not approach for Communion until he/she is
reconciled to God in his heart and through the Sacrament of
Reconciliation. This includes those who
are living in “irregular” marriages not considered valid by the Church.
That means anyone with any serious sin should seek the truth, desire to do good, decide to turn away from that sin completely with God's grace, make any changes in their life necessary to do so, and make a good confession. Abundant mercy and forgiveness is always yours!
Even when a person, out of ignorance, is not culpable (guilty) of mortal sin or even venial there is still a wrong to be righted: an act or situation that has pulled the persons(s) away from the fullness of what God wants for them. That situation may also adversely affect others and can cause confusion and scandal to the rest of the Body.
If you (or anyone) has grave, unconfessed sin—or has no
intention of changing—why would you approach Our Lord in Holy Communion in a
state that would offend and grieve him? The Sacrament of Confession—also an intimate encounter with him—prepares
one to receive him worthily.
What to do if you’ve civilly remarried without an
annulment
- Find a wise and holy priest or spiritual director to help
you prepare to regularize your situation.
- Don’t take the counsel of someone—clergy or not—who
encourages you to ignore Church teachings. They are there for your greatest
good and ultimate happiness (holiness).
- Recognize that despite the love you may have for each
other—and even many years and several children—justice demands, and the rest of
the family of God deserves, that you clear up your situation. It’s not just “you and Jesus”.
- Know that because you’re not living in full Communion with
Christ and his Church, you may not (yet) receive Communion, but you still have God's love, mercy, and are part of the family!
- Respect the Church and the Body of Christ by submitting
lovingly to Church teachings.
- Do not take it upon yourself or demand the Eucharist.
Remember you can enjoy and benefit from spiritual communion with Christ every
day.
- Consider living as “brother and sister” while you seek
Decree(s) of Nullity. This will allow
you to receive Reconciliation and Eucharist while still living together. This is not impossible and many have chosen this path that builds deeper love and trust between couples. Carrying a cross together builds a strong bond!
- Realize that marital relations are also a privilege and a
right that comes with equal responsibilities.
- Pray for and practice the virtues of obedience, humility,
patience, long-suffering, faith, hope, and love. The graces are worth it!
Find your former marriage situation here to see where you
stand:
Catholic + Catholic married
in the Church
Catholic + Baptized Non Catholic married in the Church
Catholic + Un-baptized married in the Church (with dispensation from
Bishop)
- Your marriage is presumed valid until proved otherwise
(annulment).
- If you do not remarry and are free from serious sin, you
(the Catholic party) may freely receive the Sacraments (Reconciliation and
Communion).
- If you remarry civilly, you have (knowingly or unknowingly)
placed yourself outside full “Communion” with the Church and therefore may not
approach for Communion or receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation until you can
rectify the situation. The Church should help you!
- If you’ve remarried civilly—and want to begin the annulment
process for prior marriage(s) for both parties—you may live “as brother and
sister” (no marital acts) until your current civil marriage can be
convalidated.
- Convalidation is not a mere “blessing” of the current
marriage. Once the impediments are out of the way, the union is then raised to
the level of a sacrament!
- During this waiting time you (the Catholic party) may then
freely receive the Sacraments. Many who have chosen this path have
expressed surprise at the power, beauty and graces that flow from such
intentional living.
Baptized + Baptized –
not married in the Catholic Church
- As viewed by the Catholic Church your marriage is presumed
valid (and sacramental) by reason of your valid Christian baptism.
- If you want to subsequently marry in the Catholic Church,
you must obtain a Decree of Nullity.
- If you don’t remarry, and want to become Catholic, you may
receive the Sacraments after full initiation into the Church.
Baptized + Un-baptized
– not married in the Catholic Church
Un-baptized + Un-baptized
– Not married in the Catholic Church
- As viewed by the Catholic Church your marriage is presumed
valid but not sacramental as one or both of you was never baptized.
- If you wish to marry in the Catholic Church, you must
normally obtain a Decree of Nullity.
- There are certain cases where your non-sacramental but valid
marriage can be dissolved by the Pope if you were subsequently baptized or are
planning to or have married a Catholic.
- Only sacramental marriages can never be dissolved (two validly
baptized Christians).
Thanks be to God that Church law (which springs from God’s
love) is not going to change because Christ guaranteed (with his life!) that
the gates of hell will not prevail against the truth that he gave her and that she safeguards. However, how the church
processes the laws and ministers pastorally can change—and often should.
For more information get How to Understand and Petition for
Your Decree of Nullity HERE.
