[Mamzelle]

I am seeking to ask a question of someone RC involving being a Catholic in good standing, being able to take sacraments.

I am not Catholic--

I am aware that divorced people may not be able to take communion, but what is the status of the cohabiting, the "shacking up"--the living in sin? Are they "in good standing"?

TIA.

[StAthanasiustheGreat]

I believe not, to answer your question, if the relationship is sexual and they are living together. If it were platonic (i.e. just two friends, I know rare), than I don't believe so, I'll let NYer handle this one.

[siunevada]

1415
Anyone who desires to receive Christ in Eucharistic communion must be in the state of grace. Anyone aware of having sinned mortally must not receive communion without having received absolution in the sacrament of penance.
.


2349
"People should cultivate [chastity] in the way that is suited to their state of life. Some profess virginity or consecrated celibacy which enables them to give themselves to God alone with an undivided heart in a remarkable manner. Others live in the way prescribed for all by the moral law, whether they are married or single."136 (CDF Persona humana 11) Married people are called to live conjugal chastity; others practice chastity in continence:


There are three forms of the virtue of chastity: the first is that of spouses, the second that of widows, and the third that of virgins. We do not praise any one of them to the exclusion of the others. . . . This is what makes for the richness of the discipline of the Church. St. Ambrose De Viduis 4, 23:PL 16,255A


2353
Fornication is carnal union between an unmarried man and an unmarried woman. It is gravely contrary to the dignity of persons and of human sexuality which is naturally ordered to the good of spouses and the generation and education of children. Moreover, it is a grave scandal when there is corruption of the young.



Catechism of the Catholic Church.

[NYer]

I am aware that divorced people may not be able to take communion, but what is the status of the cohabiting, the "shacking up"--the living in sin? Are they "in good standing"?

Cohabiting would fall under the sin of adultery. That is a mortal sin. For a comprehensive review, click on the following link.

EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE

[Salvation]

Many people think that if a Catholic is divorced that he or she cannot receive Holy Communion.

This belief is in error. As long as the divorced individual does not remarry, then the divorced person can receive Communion.

The other things you have mentioned would be considered adulterous, in my opinion. but I cannot make that judgment. The person would have to talk with a priest in the sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession).