Manner of Melchizedek

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ: During my research on the Institution of Mass I came across a wonderful article that was published by the staff Apologist's at Catholic answers. I have not made any changes to the article and wanted to present in its original form. Please visit http://www.catholic.com/ for additional resources about the Catholic Faith. This article will assist in explaining in a concise manner about the institution of Mass.

The Old Testament predicted that Christ would offer a true sacrifice to God using the elements of bread and wine. In Genesis 14:18, Melchizedek, the king of Salem (that is, Jerusalem) and a priest, offered sacrifice under the form of bread and wine. Psalm 110 predicted Christ would be a priest "after the order of Melchizedek," that is, offering a sacrifice in bread and wine. We must look for some sacrifice other than Calvary, since it was not under the form of bread and wine. The Mass meets that need.

Furthermore, "according to the order of Mel-chizedek" means "in the manner of Melchizedek." ("Order" does not refer to a religious order, as there was no such thing in Old Testament days.) The only "manner" shown by Melchizedek was the use of bread and wine. A priest sacrifices the items offered—that is the main task of all priests, in all cultures, at all times—so the bread and wine must have been what Melchizedek sacrificed.

Fundamentalists sometimes say Christ followed the example of Melchizedek at the Last Supper, but that it was a rite that was not to be continued. They undermine their case against the Mass in saying this, since such an admission shows, at least, that the Last Supper was truly sacrificial. The key, though, is that they overlook that Christ said, "Do this in remembrance of me" (Luke 22:19). Clearly, he wasn’t talking about a one-time thing.

"Do this in remembrance of me" can also be translated as "Offer this as my memorial sacrifice." The Greek term for "remembrance" is anamnesis, and every time it occurs in the Protestant Bible (whether in the New Testament or the Greek Old Testament), it occurs in a sacrificial context. For example, it appears in the Greek translation of Numbers 10:10: "On the day of your gladness also, and at your appointed feasts, and at the beginnings of your months, you shall blow the trumpets over your burnt offerings and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings; they shall serve you for remembrance [anamnesis] before your God: I am the Lord your God." Thus the Eucharist is a remembrance, a memorial offering we present to God to plead the merits of Christ on the cross.

Fundamentalists disbelieve claims about the antiquity of the Mass’s sacrificial.aspects, even if they think the Mass, in the form of a mere commemorative meal, goes all the way back to the Last Supper. Many say the Mass as a sacrifice was not taught until the Middle Ages, alleging Innocent III was the first pope to teach the doctrine.

But he merely insisted on a doctrine that had been held from the first but was being publicly doubted in his time. He formalized, but did not invent, the notion that the Mass is a sacrifice. Jimmy Swaggart, for one, goes further back than do many Fundamentalists, claiming, "By the third century the idea of sacrifice had begun to intrude." Still other Fundamentalists say Cyprian of Carthage, who died in 258, was the first to make noises about a sacrifice.

But Irenaeus, writing Against Heresies in the second century, beat out Cyprian when he wrote of the sacrificial nature of the Mass, and Irenaeus was beaten out by Clement of Rome, who wrote, in the first century, about those "from the episcopate who blamelessly and holily have offered its sacrifices" (Letter to the Corinthians 44:1).

Furthermore, Clement was beaten out by the Didache (a Syrian liturgical manual written around A.D. 70), which stated, "On the Lord’s Day . . . gather together, break bread and offer the Eucharist, after confessing your transgressions so that your sacrifice may be pure. Let no one who has a quarrel with his neighbor join you until he is reconciled, lest our sacrifice be defiled. For this is that which was proclaimed by the Lord: ‘In every place and time let there be offered to me a clean sacrifice. For I am a great king,’ says the Lord, ‘and my name is wonderful among the gentiles’ [cf. Mal. 1:11]" (14:1–3).

It isn’t possible to get closer to New Testament times than this, because Clement and the author of the Didache were writing during New Testament times. After all, at least one apostle, John, was still alive.

A misreading

Fundamentalists are particularly upset about the Catholic notion that the sacrifice on Calvary is somehow continued through the centuries by the Mass. They think Catholics are trying to have it both ways. The Church on the one hand says that Calvary is "perpetuated," which seems to mean the same act of killing, the same letting of blood, is repeated again and again. This violates the "once for all" idea. On the other hand, what Catholics call a sacrifice seems to have no relation to biblical sacrifices, since it doesn’t look the same; after all, no splotches of blood are to be found on Catholic altars.

"We must, of course, take strong exception to such pretended sacrifice," Boettner instructs. "We cannot regard it as anything other than a deception, a mockery, and an abomination before God. The so-called sacrifice of the Mass certainly is not identical with that on Calvary, regardless of what the priests may say. There is in the Mass no real Christ, no suffering, and no bleeding. And a bloodless sacrifice is ineffectual. The writer of the book of Hebrews says that ‘apart from shedding of blood there is no remission’ of sin (9:22); and John says, ‘The blood of Jesus his Son cleanseth us from all sin’ (1 John 1:7). Since admittedly there is no blood in the Mass, it simply cannot be a sacrifice for sin" (174).

Boettner misreads chapter nine of Hebrews, which begins with an examination of the Old Covenant. Moses is described as taking the blood of calves and goats and using it in the purification of the tabernacle (Heb. 9:19–21; see Ex. 24:6–8 for the origins of this). Under the Old Law, a repeated blood sacrifice was necessary for the remission of sins. Under the Christian dispensation, blood (Christ’s) is shed only once, but it is continually offered to the Father.

"But how can that be?" ask Fundamentalists. They have to keep in mind that "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and for ever" (Heb. 13:8). What Jesus did in the past is present to God now, and God can make the sacrifice of Calvary present to us at Mass. "For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes" (1 Cor. 11:26).

Jesus does not offer himself to God as a bloody, dying sacrifice in the Mass, but as we offer ourselves, a "living sacrifice" (Rom. 12:1). As this passage indicates, the offering of sacrifice does not require death or the shedding of blood. If it did, we could not offer ourselves as living sacrifices to God. Jesus, having shed his blood once for all on the cross, now offers himself to God in a continual, unbloody manner as a holy, living sacrifice on our behalf.

Reference: http://www.catholic.com/ - search "By the order of Melchizedek"

NIHIL OBSTAT: I have concluded that the materials presented in this work are free of doctrinal or moral errors. Bernadeane Carr, STL, Censor Librorum, August 10, 2004 IMPRIMATUR: In accord with 1983 CIC 827permission to publish this work is hereby granted. +Robert H. Brom, Bishop of San Diego, August 10, 2004

Worthy is the Lamb

Dear Friends in Christ, I write this new post with great humility and desire for the conversion of this world. I "Ocran" a sinner; a slave of Christ's love want for this world to adore and give homage to our LORD our GOD who was, is and will be forever. As the seven mighty spirits that stand in front of GOD the FATHER'S throne and the twenty-four elders that fall on their knees and bow in adoration to the Almighty. In the same manner we must fall down and give him homage, for he is our creator. It is right to give him thanks and praise. So, my dear brothers and sisters in CHRIST go to Church during weekdays (and remember Lord's day) whenever it's quite and there isn't a mass in progress. Fall on your knees in front of the Tabernacle, where Christ Jesus our LORD is present, waiting for you. When you look at the cross, imagine that you are kissing his feet, his knees, his side that bleed for your sin, his hands that were nailed to the cross, kiss his forehead that was crowned with piercing thrones. Do not forget his suffering; don't look at the empty cross, but look at the image of Christ on the cross which is a reminder to us all about his suffering, the difficult and struggled breathing, the burning, and the stinging of open wounds. Look to him and ask for his grace and pray that GOD the Father keeps you away from temptation and gives you strength to fight against the evils of this world.

Fall in front of our LORD, ask for blessings and thank him for the blessing that you have in your life. Go for confession, have the priest who is in persona Christi (in person of Christ) has authority from our LORD to forgive your sins (John 20:22-23), I know it is the hardest thing to do to face someone and tell them of your sins, the deepest, and the darkest and gravest/mortal sins (1 John 5:16-17). But, once professed and confessed, you will be renewed and refreshed in his Love. Ask the intercession of our Lady, as you ask your friends and relatives (here on earth) to pray for you to our GOD the Almighty. Ask the Mother of GOD, our Mother, the Mother of this World, the Mother who brought Salvation to this world in Greek her title Theotokos means literally - "God-bearer"(Matthew 1:18-25), (Matthew 2:10-11), (Luke 1:41-44) and (Gal 4:4).

Ask her for prayers, she is much closer to his son Christ Jesus in Heaven; then us who are here on earth. Ask the help of all the Saints, the twenty four elders, the seven spirits (Angels) to intercede on your behalf in prayers to the GOD the FATHER, GOD the SON and GOD the HOLY SPIRIT. Any help you can get, take it, pursue it, be persistent, it's a better for your soul and your Salvation. Don't be denied by the once saved, always saved methodology. You can lose your salvation by merely having an unclean, impure thought about someone or something, keep the commandments to the fullest - Love your GOD with all your might, with all your being. Fall on your knees and give him homage, for he deserves the adoration. With each breath, give him praises for he has given you the breath of life. He has taken you out of the snares of evil, Satan has a bounty out on your soul, Jesus has given the ransom, the bail for you with his precious blood. Reject the evils of this world. Every night before going to bed, fall on your knees ask for forgiveness for your sins, go for confession regularly, do not play roulette with your soul, and don’t leave it for chance. One does not know his/her time, when you can be called by the Almighty. You don't want to be standing in his presence with a load of sins on your conscience, get purged, get cleaned use the sacraments given to you by Christ, use them they hold the Grace(s) which will strengthen your soul, your body. Go for communion (1 Cor 11:23-29), after confession, let Jesus come within you and nourish your soul, fall on your knees when you receive his body - because Worthy is the Lamb.

His body is sacred, do not touch it with your unclean hands, but let the priest deliver it to your tongue who is in persona Christi (in person of Christ). Do not chew his body, but let it dissolve within you. If you get a chance during the weekdays go and receive his body and blood, do it as often as you can. His body has a purpose; it's the bread of life (John 6:35-58). Eat it and be nourished it will help you fight temptation. If you fall, get up, dust yourself up. Head for confession, do not part take the body of Christ if you have even a blemish of mortal sin because Worthy is the Lamb for our reverence. Make him your GOD and he will deliver you from evil, renew your soul and give you eternal life. He is waiting for you, we are his children. If hardship and sufferings come, offer them up to the LORD, rejoice and be glad for he has found you worthy.

Praise be to the GOD Almighty - In the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. GOD bless and have great thanksgiving my friends. Amen!

Doctrines of Church - Part 7 "LOVE ONE ANOTHER"

"If you love me, you will keep my commandments" (John 14:15)

Charity unites all the members of the Body of Christ (Rom 12:3-9)

Matthew 5:43-45
Matthew 19:19
Matthew 22:36-40
Matthew 25:31-46
Mark 12:28-34
Luke 6:27-36
John 13:34-35
John 15:12-17
Rom 10:1
Rom 12:9-13
Rom 15:30-32
1 Cor 10:24
1 Cor 13
Gal 5:9-13, 6:2
1 Thess 3:12; 4:9-10, 18
1 Thess 5:11, 14-15
1 Tim 2:1-4
1 John 4:7-21
Jas 2:14-17

Part 6 - Apostolic Succession

APOSTOLIC SUCCESSION

The first Christians had no doubts about how to determine which was the true Church and which doctrines the true teachings of Christ. The test was simple: Just trace the apostolic succession of the claimants.

Apostolic succession is the line of bishops stretching back to the apostles. All over the world, all Catholic bishops are part of a lineage that goes back to the time of the apostles, something that is impossible in Protestant denominations (most of which do not even claim to have bishops).

The role of apostolic succession in preserving true doctrine is illustrated in the Bible. To make sure that the apostles’ teachings would be passed down after the deaths of the apostles, Paul told Timothy, "[W]hat you have heard from me before many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also" (2 Tim. 2:2). In this passage he refers to the first three generations of apostolic succession—his own generation, Timothy’s generation, and the generation Timothy will teach.

The Church Fathers, who were links in that chain of succession, regularly appealed to apostolic succession as a test for whether Catholics or heretics had correct doctrine. This was necessary because heretics simply put their own interpretations, even bizarre ones, on Scripture. Clearly, something other than Scripture had to be used as an ultimate test of doctrine in these cases.

Enclosed are a few verses that show Biblically about Apostolic Succession.

Acts 1:15-26
Acts 14:23
Acts 20:28
1 Cor 12:27-31
Eph 4:11
Eph 1:19-21
1 Tim 3:1-13
1 Tim 4:13-14
1 Tim 5:17-22
2 Tim 2:1-2
Titus 1:5-9

Part 5 "Word of God"

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, I hope you had a joyful, relaxing and blessed weekend. Enclosed is the 5th installament of scripture references and verses that talk about -

"Word of God" Does Not Always Mean "The Bible"

Is 55:10-11
Luke 3:2-3
Luke 4:42-5:1
Luke 9:11-15
John 1:1,14
Acts 4:31
1 Thess 2:13
Heb 4:12-13
Heb 11:3

Reference: Taken from A Pocket Guide to Catholic Apologetics by Patrick Madrid.

Scripture vs "Sola Scriptura" (the Bible Alone). PART 4

Scripture vs "Sola Scriptura"

Catholics agree with Protestants that Scripture is a "standard of truth"—even the preeminent one—but not in a sense that rules out the binding authority of authentic apostolic Tradition and the Church. The Bible doesn’t teach that. Catholics agree that Scripture is materially sufficient. In other words, on this view, every true doctrine can be found in the Bible, if only implicitly and indirectly by deduction. But no biblical passage teaches that Scripture is the formal authority or rule of faith in isolation from the Church and Tradition. Sola scriptura can’t even be deduced from implicit passages. Below are verses that will help you decipher the truth.

Authority of Church

Deut 17:8-13
Matthew 16:18-19
Matthew 28:19-20
Luke: 10:16
Acts 15:28-29
1 Cor 11:2
1 Thess 2:13
2 Thess 2:15
1 Tim 3:14-15
1 Pet 3:15-17
2 Pet 1:20-21 2:1
2 Pet 5:1-5

May GOD bless you and strenghten your faith in Christ our Lord.

Tradition (Part 3)

Tradition (Part 3), verses you can find in the Bible that talk about Tradition.

Now, you must realize that the Holy Bible mainly the New Testament was not handled to us by Jesus Christ it came to exist many centuries later. Earlier doctrine, belief and faith was dispensed off verbally and by Tradition. What the Apostles where taught by Christ and how the Apostles taught their successors about the faith and Tradition.

Mark 7:1-13
Matthew 15:1-9 (Ungodly Traditions condemned)
Luke 1:1-4 (Oral Traditions come before New Testament Scriptures)
Mark 16:15
John 20:30-31
John 21:25
I Cor 11:2
1Cor 11-23
1 Cor 15:1-2
1 Thess 2:13
2 Thess 3:6
2 Tim 1:13
2 Tim 2:2
1 Pet 1:25
2 Pet 1:20-21
2 John 12
3 John 13

Hope this helps you strengthen your faith in Christ. All reference taken from "A pocket Guide to Catholic Apologetics" by Patrick Madrid.

Also, if you want to learn more about Apologetics (Defense of the Catholic Faith). Pick up books from renowned authors such as Patrick Madrid his books, Tim Staples - Why be Catholic one of the titles of his books, Father of Apologetics - Mr Karl Keating. I am finishing a book from Mike Aquilina his book "The Fathers of the Church". Also, visit www.Catholic.com and www.EWTN.com for articles, radio, media, TV shows etc.

May God Bless you all and his light shine upon you and your family till the end.

38 Catholic Chrisitans Killed Senselessly in Iraq

Dear Brothers and Sisters, please pray for the repose of the souls of 38 Catholic Christians Martyr, the American Soldiers and the two suicide bombers and the Iraqi militant group responsible for the Oct 31, 2010 incident. During regular Sunday Mass an Iraqi militant group broke into Our Lady of Deliverance Catholic Church, the main Assyrian Catholic worship place in Baghdad, and held more than 100 Christians hostage and senselessly killed not only themselves as well as the 38 Catholic Christians, the brave American soldiers at the Catholic Church in Iraq.

Please remember them in your prayers. For Catholics while you do your Rosary tonight please ask for the intercession of Our Lady. Because Muslims do give reverence to Our Lady her son our Lord Jesus because Mother Queen and our Lord with the power of the Holy Spirit can mend the wounds and create reconciliation between the two faiths and bring peace in Iraqi. Pray for the Christians in the region, Catholic – Non Catholic we are all part of the same body of Christ.

The PAPACY

The Papacy

The Primacy of Peter

Simon Peter is mentioned by name 195 times in the New Testament. Next comes St. John who, is mentioned just 29 times. When all twelve Apostles named, Peter is always listed first; Judas Iscariot is always listed last (Matthew 10:2-5; Mark 3:16-19; Luke 6:14-17; and Acts 1:13)
Often:"Peter and the rest of the Apostles" or "Peter and his companions"" (Luke 9:32; Mark 16:7; Acts 2:37)

Peter as spokesman for all the Apostles

Matthew 18:21
Mark 8:29
Luke 8:45, 12:41
John 6:69

Peter's Primacy

Matthew 16:13-20
Matthew 14:24-33
Mark 16:7
Luke 5: Christ preaches to the crowds from Peter's fishing boat.
Luke 22:31-32
Luke 24:33-35
John 20:6
John 21:15-19
Acts 1:15-26
Acts 3:1-9
Acts 10-11
Acts 15:6-11
Gal 1:18

Reference: A Pocket Guide to Catholic Apologetics - by Patrick Madrid.

THE CHURCH - Catholic Apologetics

Dear Brother in Christ, I am started a 46 part series in which I will provide almost each day with verses from the Bible that will help you strengthen your knowledge of our Catholic Faith. These verses are most often overlooked by Non-Catholics and their counterparts. Even to the extent they are misread and incorrectly misinterpret Biblical doctrine.

So, today I will share with you verses on the subject of: THE CHURCH. Also, please use a Catholic Bible for authentic translation from Greek and Hebrew. Use new edition RSV Bible, The New American Bible or any Catholic Bible.

The Church

Existence of, mission of, visible characteristics of, and authority of

Matthew 13:24-30
Matthew 28:19-20
Matthew 16:18-19
Matthew 5:13-16 - The Church is a "light to the world, a city set on a hill"
Luke 10:16
John 16:15
It is visible in all ages, for all to see and recognize
Acts 9:34
I Corinthians 12:27-30

Authority of the Church

Matthew 18:15-17
Luke 10:16 - Christ promised the Apostles (the original Magisterium) "He who listens to you listens to me, he who rejects you, rejects me"
2 Thess 3:14-15
1 Timothy 3:14-15
1 Timothy 4:11-16
1 Peter 4:17

The Church: A sign of Unity

John 17:20-21
John 15:4-5
I Corinthians 1:10
Phil 1:27-28, 2:2
I Timothy 6:2-3
The Church contains good and bad people. (a field of wheat and weeds)
Jer 32:31-35
Matthew 7:15-23
Matthew 10:1-4
Matthew 13:1-9
Matthew 13:24-30
Matthew 26:69-75
Mark 3:19
Luke 22:54-62
John 6:70
John 18:2-4
2 Timothy 2:13

The Church is the body of Christ

John 15:1-11
Acts 9:1-6
Romans 12:4-8
1 Corinthians 12:12-27
Eph 1:22-23
Col 1:18

Reference: A Pocket Guide to Catholic Apologetics by Patrick Madrid.

Q & A "DIVORCE"

Dear Friends, I found some Frequently Asked Questions on Divorce. Just wanted to share these with you, as to what our Catholic faith teaches about Divorce and Annulments.

Q:
What is the Church’s view on marriage when a Catholic adulterous husband has filed for divorce against an innocent spouse of 17 years?
”
A:
Civil divorce, under certain circumstances, may not be a bad thing. The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains, “The separation of spouses while maintaining the marriage bond can be legitimate in certain cases provided for by canon law (see CIC 1151-1155). If civil divorce remains the only possible way of ensuring certain legal rights, the care of the children, or the protection of inheritance, it can be tolerated and does not constitute a moral offense” (CCC 2383). However, civil divorce will not dissolve the marriage. The wife would not be free to remarry unless the first marriage is declared null or until her husband dies.
Jim Blackburn Category: Marriage Keywords: annulment canon law marriage sin divorce

Q:“
My husband and I married in the Catholic Church, but now I am separated from my husband and in the process of divorce and annulment. Priests have told me that I can date and still receive the sacraments if the relationships are pure and entered into prayerfully. Is this correct?
”
A:
No. Currently you are not even legally divorced, much less have you received a decree of nullity from the Church. Until the latter happens, you must presume that you are a married woman and may not date anyone. Once you are legally divorced, you will no longer be married in the eyes of the state, but you will be married in the eyes of the Church unless and until you receive an annulment—and there is never any guarantee that an annulment will be granted. If you maintain a life of chastity appropriate to your state as a married woman legally separated from her husband (the Church considers civil divorce the equivalent of a legal separation), and otherwise remain in a state of grace, you may receive the sacraments. Once an annulment is granted, then you will be free to date.
Michelle Arnold Category: Marriage Keywords: divorce sin chastity annulment marriage

Q:“
When a Protestant man and woman are married in a non-Catholic ceremony which is not celebrated by a Catholic priest, why does an annulment have to be obtained in the event one becomes Catholic and wants to remarry?
”
A:
A consummated sacramental marriage is indissoluble by any human power. Jesus said, "What therefore God has joined together, let not man put asunder" (Mark 10:9). The Catholic Church takes this seriously and therefore will not take part in a new marriage when it believes another valid marriage may already exist. This is true even if that marriage is between Protestants married outside the Catholic Church—such marriages are recognized as valid by the Church. (Note that St. Paul taught of a variance to this—in the case of a marriage between two non-baptized persons when one party later becomes a Christian: "if the unbelieving partner desires to separate, let it be so; in such a case the brother or sister is not bound. For God has called us to peace" [1 Cor. 7:15]. In this case the marriage was not sacramental because the two parties were not baptized.)Civil divorce is often man’s attempt to put asunder what God has joined together, and the Church knows that man does not have the power or authority to do this. The annulment process is simply the Church’s investigation into what looks like a marriage to determine whether a valid marriage really exists. If it does, the Church will not, indeed cannot, recognize another marriage. If, on the other hand, the Church finds that a valid marriage does not exist, then a new marriage, truly a first marriage (unless a valid previous marriage ended through death), may be celebrated. —Jim Blackburn
Jim Blackburn Category: Marriage Keywords: annulment Protestant divorce marriage

Q:“
May a person who is divorced but not remarried receive Communion?
”
A:
While Church teaching recognizes the seriousness of divorce, it understands that:1. There are situations in which civil divorce may be necessary: "If civil divorce remains the only possible way of ensuring certain legal rights, the care of the children, or the protection of inheritance, it can be tolerated and does not constitute a moral offense" (CCC 2383), and2. Divorce may occur due to no fault of an innocent spouse:
It can happen that one of the spouses is the innocent victim of a divorce decreed by civil law; this spouse therefore has not contravened the moral law. There is a considerable difference between a spouse who has sincerely tried to be faithful to the sacrament of marriage and is unjustly abandoned, and one who through his own grave fault destroys a canonically valid marriage. (CCC 2386)
In such cases, divorce is not sinful for that person and he or she may continue to receive Communion. However, in other cases—as with all serious sin—a divorced person should go to confession immediately, prior to receiving Communion. If a divorced person later remarries invalidly he or she would then be prohibited from receiving Communion as long as that situation persists or until he or she has gone to confession and committed to living chastely. The Catechism explains:
Today there are numerous Catholics in many countries who have recourse to civil divorce and contract new civil unions. In fidelity to the words of Jesus Christ—"Whoever divorces his wife and marries another, commits adultery against her; and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery"—the Church maintains that a new union cannot be recognized as valid, if the first marriage was. If the divorced are remarried civilly, they find themselves in a situation that objectively contravenes God’s law. Consequently, they cannot receive eucharistic Communion as long as this situation persists. For the same reason, they cannot exercise certain ecclesial responsibilities. Reconciliation through the sacrament of penance can be granted only to those who have repented for having violated the sign of the covenant and of fidelity to Christ, and who are committed to living in complete continence. (CCC 1650)
Jim Blackburn Category: Eucharist Keywords: Eucharist marriage divorce

Q:“
Can a divorced person without a Church annulment participate in the sacraments?
”
A:
A divorced person is generally not required to seek an annulment unless he plans to attempt marriage again. And unless a person has been excommunicated (divorce is not cause for excommunication), a Catholic always has access to confession. In fact, a divorced Catholic should go to confession as soon as possible if the divorce was an occasion of mortal sin. If the divorce was not an occasion of mortal sin, then confession is not necessary. Either way, the Catholic would be able to lead a normal sacramental life.
Jim Blackburn Category: Sacrament Keywords: divorce annulment Eucharist confession

Q:“
For a while I could not receive Communion as a decision had not yet been made regarding the validity of my previous marriage. I have since wondered why the Church holds the worst sinners at arm's distance. Is the Eucharist truly the body and blood of Christ (who wants all sinners to come to him) or is it a "symbol" of our membership in this exclusive club called the Catholic Church?
”
A:
The Church doesn’t hold the worst sinners at arm’s distance: The sinners themselves do. The Church isn’t forcing them to sin. They are doing that quite on their own. The Church does not withhold the Lord’s compassion any more than he did. But he was only compassionate with those who were repentant, and then he warned them not to engage in such activity again. When you were waiting for an annulment, you could have received Holy Communion if you were not having marital relations with someone with whom you were not validly married. Perhaps you didn’t know that to do so is a grave sin. One cannot profess one’s unconditional love for the Lord while at the same time engaging in sinful activity. The Church wasn’t holding you at arm’s distance. You could have gone to confession and determined to live as brother and sister until you were validly married—and then received Holy Communion. Many do. Unfortunately, priests often fail to tell people this.
Fr. Vincent Serpa Category: Eucharist Keywords: sin mortal sin divorce Eucharist confession

Q:“
I'm thinking about divorce. What does the Catholic Church have to say about it?
”
A:
Jesus said, "What therefore God has joined together, let not man put asunder" (Mark 10:9). So, although the Catholic Church recognizes the need for civil divorce in some circumstances, the Church also teaches that divorce does not dissolve the marriage bond before God. Therefore, even in situations where civil divorce is tolerated, divorce does not free the spouses to marry again. Cardinal Levada’s glossary explains:
[Divorce is] the claim that the indissoluble marriage bond validly entered into between a man and a woman is broken. A civil dissolution of the marriage contract (divorce) does not free persons from a valid marriage before God; remarriage would not be morally licit.
If there are sufficient reasons for obtaining a civil divorce in your case, then it would be morally permissible to pursue one, but this would not result in the ability to remarry unless, for example, you pursued and received an annulment that showed your first marriage was invalid.
Jim Blackburn Category: Marriage Keywords: annulment marriage divorce

Q:“
A husband and wife are validly married in the Catholic Church, and after several years get a civil divorce, never seek an annulment, live chastely after the divorce, and then reconcile. Are they allowed to have intercourse since they are still married in the eyes of the Church, or must they first have their marriage acknowledged by the state?
”
A:
For a Catholic, divorce is a purely civil matter and does not affect the validity of a sacramental marriage whatsoever. The husband and wife will always retain the right to express their marriage vows sexually. When such individuals reconcile, they are certainly free to live as man and wife.
Fr. Vincent Serpa Category: Marriage Keywords: sexuality annulment divorce marriage

Q:“
My wife and I are considering divorce after a long and unloving period of our relationship. She considers us roommates. The reason we haven't divorced is that she couldn't live alone on her salary plus trying to raise our son. She is unwilling to go to counseling. What are the implications of divorce for practicing Catholics? Can we still receive the sacraments? Where can I learn about the annulment process?
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A:
The loser here is your son. I would think long and hard before inflicting a divorce on him. You and your wife chose to marry each other. He didn’t choose to be born. He deserves a home with a mother and a father. I’m not trying to lay a guilt trip on you. These are simply the facts. If it is absolutely impossible for the two of you to remain together, then the Church allows civil divorce for the equitable division of goods that have been held in common. I know of an instance where the child remained in the home and the parents would alternate every other week living there so that the child wouldn’t be shuttled here and there for the rest of his childhood. I commend the parents for obviously being more concerned about him than about themselves. If you do separate you may both receive the sacraments so long as you are in the state of grace. But you are still married, and dating other people is out of the question unless and until you are able to have the marriage annulled. This book will give you all that you need to know about annulments: Annulments and the Catholic Church by Edward Peters, available on shop.catholic.com or by phone: 888 291 8000.
Fr. Vincent Serpa Category: Marriage Keywords: marriage canon law children annulment divorce

Q:“
I have a Lutheran friend who married a Catholic woman outside the Catholic Church because there were problems with the annulment of his previous marriage. I go to the same Catholic Church as his wife, where she is unable to receive Communion. Is there some kind of dispensation she can get so that she can receive Communion?
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A:
The woman chose to marry invalidly and then live as though she were a validly married woman—this is a grave situation. She will not be allowed to receive Communion as long as she ignores this. I can only recommend that she repent and go to confession, and that they commit to living as brother and sister until the situation is rectified (i.e., annulment and convalidation). If she does this, she can receive Communion.The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains,
Today there are numerous Catholics in many countries who have recourse to civil divorce and contract new civil unions. In fidelity to the words of Jesus Christ—"Whoever divorces his wife and marries another, commits adultery against her; and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery" (Mark 10:11-12) —the Church maintains that a new union cannot be recognized as valid if the first marriage was. If the divorced are remarried civilly, they find themselves in a situation that objectively contravenes God’s law. Consequently, they cannot receive Eucharistic Communion as long as this situation persists. For the same reason, they cannot exercise certain ecclesial responsibilities. Reconciliation through the sacrament of penance can be granted only to those who have repented for having violated the sign of the covenant and of fidelity to Christ, and who are committed to living in complete continence. (CCC 1650)

Reference: http://www.catholic.com/ - http://www.catholic.com/thisrock/quickquestions/keyword/divorce