Because a Catholic is divorced or separated does not, of itself, prohibit a Catholic from receiving the sacraments. Yes if a Catholic enters into a second marriage after a civil divorce, or marries a divorced person, without the first marriage of you or your spouse being submitted to the annulment process of the Church. A presumption is that the first spouse of either or both is still alive. No if the conclusion of the annulment process results in your or your present spouse's first marriage being declared invalid. Follow closely as we briefly explain.
All marriages are to be performed legally and validly.
A legal marriage is one where the wedding was carried out according to the rules of civil law and where applicable, to Church law. A valid marriage is one in which the couple s understanding of marriage is accurate, their intentions are appropriate and their abilities to fulfill their marriage vows are adequate. The Catholic Church believes that it is God s will that any and every marriage be a permanent union that is entered for the good of both spouses and for the bearing and rearing of children. The Catholic Church always presumes that a marriage is valid , that is, that the couple knew what marriage was, intended what they said, and had the wherewithal to make good on their vows. The Catholic Church does believe that, in virtue of its mission to proclaim the truth, that it can examine the circumstances at the time a presumably valid marriage began to see if either or both persons who wed did, in fact, understand, intend, and have the ability to do what they vowed.