Expert: Fr. Michael - 9/2/2004

Question
My son has divorced for a couple years. Does that mean he will never be able to receive the sacraments, namely confession and communion?

Answer
Civil divorce is sometimes necessary as a civil matter (for financial considerations, protection of children, etc.), particularly as the provisions for civil separation may not be available.  What is a public scandal is for a Catholic to receive a civil divorce and then *remarry*.

Our Lord says in no uncertain terms that this is adultery, and the persons involved become criminals in the religious sense, as they are persistently "living sin."  As long as your son is not remarried, there is generally no problem.