Question
Question
My pastor says that those of us who are married outside of the Church should not be receiving communion, but a friend of mine in a nearby parish tells me that his pastor says it may be o.k. What is the Church's official position on this?
--Official in Ogden
Answer
Answer
Your pastor is correct. One may not receive communion if they are in an "irregular" relationship with the church. [This is the church's wording in Canon Law.] However, one may not know for sure what another Catholic's relationship is with the church. Some times people convalidate (bless) their marriages privately. One must not presume another's "status" with the church.