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 Anonymous Robyn wrote:

Hi, guys —

I married a Catholic man in 1995 when I was Protestant, converted to the Catholic faith in 1998, but stepped away from the Church shortly after due to problems within our marriage. We divorced in 2005, I went back to attending a Protestant church and remarried another Protestant in 2011.

A Catholic podcast and deep study brought me back to the Catholic faith earlier this year, and I am working with the Tribunal to seek an annulment from my first marriage. I have asked my husband to begin the annulment process too, as he was married to and divorced a Catholic woman. My husband is not interested in converting at this time.

I have gone to Confession but have not received the Eucharist. I understand that while I'm going through the annulment process, I could receive the Eucharist if my husband and I agreed to live as brother and sister. I have not asked my husband to do this because I feel it would make him even more reluctant to convert. With that said, we are 55 years old, have been married for 13 years, and we do not have an active sex life. My question:

  • If I have gone to Confession and am in a state of grace, can I receive the Eucharist in my current situation?

I am not seeking to be sexually active with my husband because I do not want to sin. But if my husband wants to be intimate, I am reluctant to say, "no".

  • If this were to happen, could I then go to Confession so that I could again, receive the Eucharist?
Robyn
  { If I have gone to Confession and am in a state of grace, can I receive the Eucharist in my current marital situation? }

Bob replied:

Dear Robyn,

Thanks for your questions.  

First, congratulations on your seeking out the Catholic faith again.  It is the True Church established by Christ and has the fullness of truth (despite the endless scandals we seem to endure).  Receiving the Eucharist post-Confession without an absolute resolution to avoid the sin in question would be tantamount to a grave offense.  You simply have to either live as brother and sister, with your husband's consent or wait it out until the annulments and everything are resolved.

Sorry to say there really isn't a way to sidestep this. You have to be all in.  I'll pray that you get through the process quickly and all this can be sorted out in the short run.

Peace,

Bob Kirby

Robyn replied:

Dear Bob,

Thank you for answering so quickly.

I assumed this was the case, but I thought it wouldn't hurt to ask. 

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and many blessings to you and your family. 

Robyn
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