Can a catholic married to a non-catholic outside catholic church receive communion?

We observe Communion because the Lord told us to. We are to obey His commands:
And when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me." 1 Corinthians 11:24 (NIV)

It does not clearly answer my question: Can a catholic married to a non-catholic in a non-catholic church receive communion?

Yes, in most parishes. The rules have become somewhat lax in this area in the recent years.

If you are truly concerned ask the priest of your parish as some parishes are stricter than others.

In most non-catholic settings... yes. In a Catholic setting you may want to ask the priest as J_9 suggested. Biblically speaking, it is simply for all who are born again Christians, regardless of denomination... but as usual man has put his own spin on things.

In the Missouri-Synod Lutheran Church, the non-Lutheran partner would first have to talk with the pastor of that congregation in order to "explain" why he/she desires to take Communion.

I am Catholic, I am also divorced to a man who is Baptist and remarried to a man who is Methodist. I am still allowed to take communion in my Church.

Yes you are allowed, if in any doubt, talk to your local priest, Make sure your confessional duties are up to date. ** something that is also being forgotten these days.

But our local parish in Atlanta was very liberal for allowing those to take communion.

I agree with HauntingHelper. If you want to know what the Bible clearly states... yes you can and should. The only requirement is that you are saved and that you understand what you are doing making sure you discern the Lord's body and you don't take it as a ritual. It is serious and a privilege. However denominations come in and make rules and requirements that were never in the Bible. If your denominations requirements are more important to follow than what the bible teaches, check with the denomination.

I was brought up in a place that had to speak to you before you were permitted to partake to make SURE the person was really saved ( no one but the Lord knows the heart anyways) and after they decided I was they let me. However, I left and had communion in another church and I was no longer permitted to partake again where I had originally began. Now if I went to one of the elders and told them I was really sorry they would probably allow me to come back. But there isn't one verse to back any of these requirements. It is frustrating for me because I am SAVED and I can't ever partake if I take my mother to church there because I refuse to say I will never take the Lord supper somewhere else. If Christians would simply let the Bible rule where it clearly teaches, we wouldn't have this problem.

I just love how non-catholics respond to Catholic specific questions.

J-9,

I'm sorry. I thought Catholics used the bible as their authority and instruction too.

I can't understand why being informed about what the bible REALLY says would cause you to be sarcastic. Interesting.

Also non-Christians answer question on the Christian board all the time. I've never noticed any sarcastic remarks about that before from you either. Go figure.

I think it's wonderful and a testament to this site that people in addition to Catholics weighed in on this question. It gives the readers of this thread information about the various churches in addition to Catholic ones. The original poster (OP) is not the only one who may wonder about taking communion not only at a Catholic church but also at Protestant ones.

The Catholic faith is based on the Bible, of course. It is the oldest of all the Christian faiths and the basis for the other Christian faiths which have fractured from the Catholic faith over the past 2,000 plus years. The reason that it's helpful to have a good formation or at least education in Catholicism, however, is that our rules for living are taught in our catechism. Many life-long Catholics don't even know all that is and is not taught in our faith. Further, many Catholics particularly in America and particularly in recent decades, pick which practices to follow and which to ignore. For example, very few Catholics participate in confession, also called reconcilliation, though it is central to all of our other sacraments. We are to go to reconcilliation regularly and particularly before we accept any other sacraments, inclusive of communion.

The idea is that you must be in a state of grace to receive communion. That said, priests and eucharistic ministers do not investigate communicants - it is the individual's responsibility to determine whether they are in a state of grace and whether they should receive communion or abstain. If one has an unconfessed sin, he or she should go to confession first. If one is living in a sinful way, one must discontinue the practice and confess to it prior to going to communion. That said, most Catholics just go to communion, never mind what state they are in with the teachings of the church.

The marriage question is complicated because Catholics are permitted to marry non-Catholics and the church does recognize non-Catholic marriages. However, if your spouse was married before, or if you lived together prior to marriage, or you have sinned with your spouse by violating the teachings on subjects like birth control, etc. you should not go to communion until and unless you confess and commit to living within the teachings of the church.

When I say "should not", it is not my personal judgement - this is the teaching of the faith. Communion is our most sacred sacrament, the center of our mass. We consider Christ to be present with us when we accept communion, and we strive to be in a state of grace when we meet Him at the altar. As such, communion is to be taken with great reverence.

Some people, including some less devout Catholics, make great fun of this idea of sin and grace and confession. However, most major religions have similar concepts. For example, Muslims have the concept of "haram" or what is considered defiled or unclean. Certain practices are haram, just as in our faith, certain practices are sinful. Judaism also has this concept of what is unclean or defiled. One has only to look at the rules of staying kosher as an example. As in these other faiths, Catholics adhere in varying degrees.

The OP should go speak with a priest about her concerns about her marriage. Do not expect fire and brimstone and judgement. Central to our faith is that we are not perfect but we seek to be better. Marrying a non-Catholic is not a sin. Do not stay on the fringes of your faith simply because you don't know where you stand - go, talk, ask and listen.