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I have two families. How long was I denied Communion?translated

September 28, 2026 · 1 min read

Reader question:

Good afternoon. During confession, the priest refused communion. The reason is sin (love and family relationships with two women, different families). I don’t understand: is the ban for life? For a while? Before some event/action? No explanation. Please help, explain. Two families are not because of sex. Both there and there are children, obligations. Love for two women. Sorry for the confusion.

Alexander

Priest's answer:

Archpriest Andrey EFANOV

God bless you, dear Alexander!

The normal situation is when a person has one wife. If there was a divorce and you were guilty of breaking up the family, you will be able to receive communion after you repent. How exactly to do this, what you need, you need to personally talk with the priest.

But your letter can also be understood in such a way that you have two parallel families. In this case, of course, you are sinning, because having two families at the same time is wrong, in church terms, sinful. Be that as it may, you are in an official marriage with one of the women, and in fornication with the other. Or maybe with both of them in fornication. And you will be able to receive communion only when such a serious sin has passed from your life.

If you...

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Carlos García

Alexander, the article mentions that you have obligations and children in both houses, that complicates everything. I would ask the priest directly how long of abstinence he asks for and what specific steps you have to take to fix the situation, because without deadlines or clear tasks one is left lost. A one-time mistake is not the same as living like this in the long term. I hope you can talk to him soon.