Returning Catholics FAQs: Divorce and Annulment

On Mondays, I answer questions frequently asked by those considering a return to the Catholic Church. How do I know this stuff? I was away for more than 30 years myself, and am the co-author of  When They Come Home: Ways to Welcome Returning Catholics, a book for pastors and parish leaders interested in this ministry.

I’m divorced and I remarried in another faith or a civil ceremony. Can I still come back? Am I still Catholic?

The Church still wants you! The Church still needs you! You are Catholic by virtue of your baptism and confirmation, and no one can take that away from you. You can and should continue to pray, come to Mass, engage in volunteer work, and raise children in the faith. returning_divorce_wikimedia20150606

The primary challenge is not your civil divorce. While counseling and reconciliation would be the best course, the Church recognizes that isn’t always possible or successful. A Church annulment is a different process altogether.

Catholics who have divorced but have not received an annulment and have not remarried can participate fully in Mass. However, in the Church’s eyes, the marriage bond is indissoluble unless an annulment is sought and granted or until the death of one of the parties. As a result, if you have remarried civilly, you cannot receive the Eucharist unless your previous marriage has been annulled by the Church or your ex-spouse dies.

Support groups and programs available to Catholics who are divorced or separated include Catholic Divorce Ministry (http://www.nacsdc.org/), Beginning Experience (http://www.beginningexperience.org/), and Journey of Hope (http://divorcedcatholic.com/).

By Melanie

Melanie Rigney is the author of Radical Saints: 21 Women for the 21st Century and other Catholic books. She is a contributor to Living Faith and other Catholic blogs. She lives in Arlington, Virginia. Melanie also owns Editor for You, a publishing consultancy that since 2003 has helped hundreds of writers, publishers, and agents.

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