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Anna Anonymous wrote:

Hi, guys —

I was baptized and grew up in the Catholic Church attending Mass when I should. When I went to see the priest about marrying a non-Catholic in the Church, he would not perform the ceremony. We were married in the Methodist church, but the marriage ended shortly after.

The cause of the divorce was desertion on my ex-husband's part. We divorced and, two years later, he petitioned and received an annulment in order to remarry in the Catholic Church. I have since attended the Methodist Church because the same priest told me that I could not receive the sacraments in the Catholic Church.

He has since passed away and I would like to have a new opinion on whether a person in my situation can receive the sacraments in the Catholic Church.

Thank you for your time.

Anna A.

  { Why can't I receive the sacraments if my ex— received an annulment and remarried in the Church? }

Eric replied:

Dear, Anna —

Let me apologize on behalf of the Catholic Church for the insensitivity of this priest, according the facts you've related.

If you were Catholic, and married outside the Church, that marriage was not valid. That is why your ex-husband received the annulment. Since the annulment applies to the marriage, not to one spouse, you also have an annulment, leaving you free to marry in the Church. (Of course you need to have documentation, which I assume they sent you.)

This is assuming there are no other marriages on your part. Since we don't speak for the Church none of this is official. What you should do is go to Confession, explaining the situation to the priest, and say you'd like to return to the Church.

If you are not now married, there should be no problem returning immediately.

If you are married, you'll need to secure a copy of the annulment and get your marriage convalidated (or blessed) before returning to the sacraments. You should also live as brother and sister with your husband until this is resolved. If you do this, you may be able to return to the sacraments immediately; again consult the priest.

Finally, nothing prevents you from attending Mass, indeed you should. You just can't receive the sacraments until you go to Confession and receive clearance to do so.

Anyway, while it may be premature, let me say: Welcome back!

Eric

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