Returning Catholics FAQs: Divorce and Communion

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 returning_secrecy_wikimedia_publicdomain20160226ministry.

I went to confession for the first time in years but I didn’t tell the priest that I’m divorced. It was a long time ago, and I haven’t remarried. But I still feel a little funny about going to communion.

If you feel a little funny, it might be a good idea to go back and talk with the priest again. If you were an innocent party in the divorce, generally you would be fine in this situation. If the civil dissolution resulted from some action on your part, regardless of your marital status today, that may be a mortal sin that would best be discussed with a priest as your confessor. Remember, priests have heard it all. They and the Lord are there to help with the great gift of the sacrament of penance and reconciliation.

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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