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Dear CUF,
Can you give me information regarding a divorced Catholic who does not remarry receiving the Eucharist?
Dear Mrs. —,
Peace in Christ!
In the eyes of the Church, a divorced Catholic is separated from his spouse but is still married. Those who are divorced but remain single should have no lack of unity with the Body of Christ. Thus, they remain free to receive the sacraments and participate fully in the life of the Church.
In general, the Church does not allow divorced Catholics who have remarried to receive the sacraments. For serious reasons, there are certain exceptions to this discipline.
Please see our Faith Fact Divorce and Remarriage: The Church’s Perspective for more information.
You might also be interested in reading a document by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. It was released following their fall 2006 meeting and is called "‘Happy Are Those Who Are Called to His Supper’: On Preparing to Receive Christ Worthily in the Eucharist." (You can view it on the USCCB website at http://www.usccb.org/dpp/Eucharist.pdf.) In it, the bishops answer the question, "Should we ever refrain from receiving Holy Communion?" They also discuss at length ways in which we can prepare to receive Holy Communion more worthily.
United in the Faith,
Eric Stoutz
Director of Catholic Responses
Members of CUF have full access to CUF’s Catholic Responses department, including individual responses to their toughest faith questions. If you are a member, you can submit your question by clicking here. To learn more about becoming a member of CUF, click here. |
