Can a Catholic married outside the Church receive communion?

[Busygal]

Hi.
I was not practicing my catholic faith when I got married to my present husband and we married outside of the church...he was also raised catholic but was not active in his faith either. I was told that I cannot recieve the sacrament of eucharist until I correct this. A friend of mine who is also catholic but married outside of the church to a non-catholic was told she could still recieve the eucharist...is this true because she married a non-catholic?

[Reginald Plum]

Busygal,

These links should be helpful for understanding which marriages are recognized by the Church and what those in marriages not recognized by the Church can do to rectify the situation and receive the Eucharist. If you have any further questions or concerns that are not answered by these links, please contact Catholic Answers directly.

Recommended Reading:
Does the Catholic Church consider my marriage to be valid?
Can you help this revert understand the status of her marriage?
Is convalidation needed?
Do converts' marriages need convalidation?

Can someone in an invalid marriage receive communion?
Can a couple living chastely receive the sacraments?
Do I need to abstain from Communion and/or my wife?