People keep bringing the subject up, and the Church continues to reiterate what the Bible, the Popes and the Synods have always said: No communion for those who have divorced and remarried outside the Church. This CNA article gives the history of the topic from the time of the Second Vatican Council to the present day.
2happyreverts
My husband and I were allowed to go to confession and receive Holy Communion after we remained celibate for almost a year while awaiting the decision on our annulment. anyone with that experience?
David W. Emery
Not a first person report, but I have accompanied several couples who did the same as you. Abstinence is the recommended moral approach for returnees in irregular marriages. If nullity is proved for all previous unions, the couple can then have their current union convalidated.
2happyreverts
I thank you for that great historical article. In our particular circumstance we happened to mention to the priest that we had remained celibate since filing our annulment papers and he was the one that mentioned confession and communion would be in order. In reality the lack of confession and communion in awaiting for our annulments was the saddest part of our lives. We didn’t question him and were so excited that we proceeded immediately to go to confession. We still remained celibate until the annulment was improved about 3 weeks later.
Re: the article – lots of confusion by the hierarchy which seems to be a chronic problem. Maybe we should keep the catechism in our pocket and make sure it is not in revision.
David W. Emery
Your priest did correctly, as did you. So long as you are abstaining throughout the interim, you can receive the sacraments, beginning (as he outlined) with confession.
We are seeing less deviation from the rules these days. Part of it is that the “old guard” is dying off, and part is continued vigilance by the Vatican. Most of the inquiring couples that pass our way are happy to comply.
2happyreverts
Thank you, Mr. Emery: Here’s the happy part. Our annulments came through and we were celibate until we received the sacrament of marriage. We are devout in our prayer life, getting into church ministries, go to daily Mass and receive God’s body, blood, soul and divinity everyday. Trying to sacrifice after many, many years away from our holy church. I pray for more unity in our church as these 2 old hippies get frustrated sometimes over unclear rules and regulations, I guess that’s how you practice patience – not one of our strong virtues.
in Christ forevermore.
David W. Emery
Our Lord provides the grace we need to do what he calls us to. If he didn’t, he would be a tyrant. We need never fear that we will not be able to do what he commands. Yes, even practicing patience.
