Expert: George A. Card,sfo, M.I - 7/18/2009

Question
QUESTION: If a person is married to a non Catholic in a civil ceremony.  Convalidation or radical sanation would not work (due to the non Catholic's strong objection)!  Due to various reasons,  the couple haven't had sexual relations for a very long time (but remain faithful to each other).  And they have no children.  
Would the Catholic Church consider this as an invalid marriage? Would the Catholic be allowed to receive Communion?
Thanks.

ANSWER:
Peace

Sorry for the delay, my computer was down, so I couldn't get this account as easy.

You can receive communion, so long you are not in a state of mortal sin.

It sounds like you have a marriage but you didn't receive the Sacrament of Holy Matriony. In the eyes of Christ and His bride, there is a difference. I can share more on this.

I believe you can receive communion, and possibly resume sexual relations with spouse,based what information you have shared.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hopefully, your computer is running again!!
1. Would you share more about Christ and His bride?
2. I thought (from what I was told as teaching of the Church) if a Catholic is not married in the Church (Catholic Church), then they're not allowed to receive Communion (since their marriage is not considered valid in the eyes of the Church and they're living in sin?  That's why there's convalidation and radical sanation to rectify the situation.  But if there's no sexual relations existing between the couple, they might be considered living together, say like roommate?  Therefore, the Catholic would be allowed to received Communion again.  Am I correct in making this assumption?

Answer
Peace

dear K,
  1. By Christ and His Bride, I mean Christ and His Church.
  2. What do you mean by "Convalidation", you seem to be using it in a way that I am not familiar with. If I understand you correct, your assumption is correct.

         your servant in Christ
         George