There are different rules and regulations in the Catholic religion to receive the Eucharist at a Catholic mass. The rules and regulations are strict, and only a few people fall in this category who can actually take the Eucharist. There is a question that needs further clarifications that can divorce and civilly remarried Catholics, whose first marriage has not been annulled, be able to receive the Eucharist at Catholic mass? Several critics and authors have discussed this point few have supported the point whereas few does not support this point. Therefore, the paper will present the argumentative discussion on this serious topic and it will answer why or why not divorced and civilly remarried Catholics can receive Eucharist.
There are many myths and misunderstandings regarding Communion and Eucharist. It is a sensitive matter for Catholics because it is something related to their religion and religious practices. Eucharist is a simple act of celebration of Mass. In this celebration, only pure and innocent people can receive the Eucharist. The reason is that it is related to the holy Jesus Christ. Therefore, people who have received Holy Communion can also receive Holy Eucharist (Mulder 44).
The matter of argument is that why people who are not faithful to their spouse and get Annulment ask for Eucharist. The Pope at the church does not ask whether they were faithful in their relationships or not. If they do not know how the person was living his life then how they will give communion to that person. While presenting the counter argument Stravinskas said that it is not necessary that the person who is divorced/remarried or whose first marriage has not been annulled must have done something wrong in his/her life. Therefore, if they want to receive Eucharist they should be given Communion to a Catholic mass (Stravinskas 98).
It is matter of fact that the person should start living his life with full communion with Christ and his Church. In case the Church teachings are not being practiced then it is suggested that the person should not demand the Eucharist. In addition, it is suggested that who wants to receive Eucharist must respect the Church and body of Christ and teaching of Jesus Christ.
It is also suggested by Dimock that people should get benefits from spiritual communion with Christ. The reason is that he believes that there are many stories in which people after receiving Eucharist find it difficult to continue it with the same zest and zeal (Dimock 89). Therefore, according to Dimock a good religious person who never have done something wrong to anyone or who want to repent of his deeds can receive the Eucharist. However, it is also important that the person should start practicing the religious deeds, and must have faith, patience, hope and virtues of obedience (Dimock 97).
The positive thing is that Catholics can receive Holy Communion but only if they repent for their sins. Although marriage is marriage is indissoluble, if the annulled then the marriage can be broken (Stravinskas 107). The one who betrayed the other person in this annulled cannot have Eucharist as dissolving a marriage is a sin. Moreover, who are remarried and divorced and have already received the Holy Communion can still receive Holy Eucharist.
There are several arguments presented on this topic because many believe that unhappy person can get a divorce, and it should not be called as a sin. Moreover, there is a right to everyone to live a happy life Therefore, when anyone wants to practice their religious things they should be given Communion before Eucharist. It helps them to become a more religious person. Moreover, the obstacles to receiving the Eucharist should be reduced and Catholic people who are divorced and civilly remarried, whose first marriage has not been annulled should be given a chance to change their lives by giving them Communion and Eucharist. Moreover, it can be analyzed from the information above that there are many authors and Catholic Churches who support this point.
Works Cited
Dimock, Giles. 101 Questions and Answers on the Eucharist. New York: Paulist Press, 2006. Print.
Mulder, Jack. What Does It Mean to Be Catholic? New Jersy: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 2015. Print.
Stravinskas, Peter M. J. The Catholic Church and the Bible. San Fransisco : Ignatius Press, 1996. Print.
