There is much misunderstanding about divorce among Catholics. The following are Catholic divorce truths:

• Divorced Catholics are not excommunicated.
• Divorced Catholics may receive Eucharist and Reconciliation provided they have not remarried civilly.
• Divorced Catholics are full members of the Catholic Church and may participate fully in the church provided they have not remarried civilly.
• Children cannot be made illegitimate if a divorced Catholic is granted a declaration of nullity. Legitimacy is a civil matter that is determined by the state and granted to the child upon birth. Once legitimate, it can not be made otherwise.
• Before a divorced Catholic can marry in the Church, a declaration of nullity must be granted on the previous marriage.