Why Are Divorced/Remarried Catholics Different From Other Sinners?

Q: Why are divorced Catholics treated differently from other sinners? Convicted murderers, rapists and other criminals, along with priests who leave the priesthood, can receive the sacraments yet divorced and remarried people cannot.

A: In the case of a convicted murderer, the action or the sin committed is over and done with. It can be repented with the intention of never committing that sin again. He (she) can be reconciled to God and receive holy Communion.

A former priest or religious cannot receive holy Communion until he or she has received the necessary dispensation from the Church and been reconciled.

If someone has been validly married, obtained a civil divorce and then remarried outside the Church, that person has chosen to act contrary to the command of Christ and the Church. As long as this situation persists, repentance and reconciliation are impossible because the Church has no power to dispense people from the marital obligations of fidelity, unity and permanence.

Perhaps the first marriage was invalid and a way can be found for reconciliation and a return to the sacraments. Contact a priest.