Adult Baptism

[Clifford_Susa]

We are currently journeying with some folks in the RCIA. A question was raised by a non-Catholic who mentioned that he has not been able to obtain a satisfying answer to his question: Why is it necessary for him, already convinced that he wants to be a Catholic to attend the RCIA? Being an adult age 55, having been exposed to the faith - wife is a Catholic; he is attending Church regularly and already decided that this is what he wants. He goes on that afterall a baby can be baptised, despite not having reasoning powers, why then is an adult who can think clearly and reason be denied immediate baptism? Hope someone out there will be able to help with a really powerful and meaningful answer. Thank You.

 

[CatholicCid]

Well, this is just my opinion, but RCIA should be taken so you know the basic minimum about the Church and what you are entering…
An infant may be Baptised, but along with that Baptism is a promise from his/her parents that they will raise the child in the Catholic Faith and with Knowledge of the Church…
RCIA is sort of like that to me… It covers a lot of Church teachings and Catholic beliefs in just a short time, though it really only scratches the surface…
If he knows the Church is where he is meant to be, then waiting will only make it that much sweeter when his day of Baptism comes.

I asked a friend who went through RCIA not to long ago:
Me: You took RCIA not to long ago right?
Him: Almost a year ago now.
Me: Did you think you knew a lot of the Church and Catholicism before you took it?
Him: I thought I was an expert.
Me: And after?
Him: Before I went through the RCIA program, it was suggested that I read as much as I could about the Church. I thought I had overdone it.
When I started the RCIA, I realized that I was wrong. And even now, I know for certain that I know barely anything about the Church.

 

[Clifford_Susa]

He understands the need to learn more about the church and he is not denying that. What his main grudge is that why can’t he be baptised first. He has also indicated that he has a friend who being very keen to become a Catholic, eventually did not as he found that the RCIA did not give him answers. He knows that Faith is what is compelling him to be a Catholic and he does not want to question the teachings. He feels stongly that he should not be denied baptism, without sitting through the RCIA, when he wants it so eagerly.

 

[CARose]

I guess he’ll have to live with “All good things are worth waiting for” and if that doesn’t do it, he can see it as his first test of obedience.

And his rationale is backwards, if you ask me. Being baptised is a responsibility, not a right. With Baptism, he has a greater responsibility to follow the teachings of Christ. As an adult convert, he is accepting the responsibility of taking on a lifetime of learning and practicing the faith. The priest has a responsibility of being certain there is a high likelihood that the converts will live up to this responsibility after their baptism. Hence the need to take time to properly discern and learn.
CARose

 

[Lorrie]

Clifford & Susa:

He understands the need to learn more about the church and he is not denying that. What his main grudge is that why can’t he be baptised first. He has also indicated that he has a friend who being very keen to become a Catholic, eventually did not as he found that the RCIA did not give him answers. He knows that Faith is what is compelling him to be a Catholic and he does not want to question the teachings. He feels stongly that he should not be denied baptism, without sitting through the RCIA, when he wants it so eagerly.

The Church has a certain way they do this, they are’nt going to change the rules just because he really wants to be baptized right now. He’s not in grave danger (terminally ill) so he can wait just like all the other non-baptized RCIA students from around the world are waiting.

I went through the RCIA last year and was confirmed in the Church this past Easter. We were all eager, trust me, but not once did we gripe about the routine of things. This almost reminds me of a child holding his breath and turning blue until he gets his way.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Clifford & Susa:

We are currently journeying with some folks in the RCIA. A question was raised by a non-Catholic who mentioned that he has not been able to obtain a satisfying answer to his question: Why is it necessary for him, already convinced that he wants to be a Catholic to attend the RCIA? Being an adult age 55, having been exposed to the faith - wife is a Catholic; he is attending Church regularly and already decided that this is what he wants. He goes on that afterall a baby can be baptised, despite not having reasoning powers, why then is an adult who can think clearly and reason be denied immediate baptism? Hope someone out there will be able to help with a really powerful and meaningful answer. Thank You.

Because the RCIA is a restoration of an original practice in the Church. The Church from early times developed the practice that the Bishop was the one that Baptized new Adult converts. They traveled to the Bishop for Baptism and this happened at the Easter vigil. The Church has gone back to that practice with the Rite of “Sending” to the Bishop, the Rite of Election with the Bishop, and the Baptism of adults only at the Easter Vigil. (except in necessity) The Church takes Conversion very seriously and wants anyone considering becoming Christian to take a very serious look at the reasons why and the commitment required of the Christian in the world. Does this person really understand and agree to live by what the Church believes. Have they demonstrated that they will live the Catholic Faith in all that they do? The process is one of the person making a personal decision. But it is also one of the Christian Community accepting that persons decision. If an already Baptized person who is well known and active in the parish feels ready and shows that they fully understand or at least do not reject anything that the Catholic Church teaches. Then they may only spend six to eight weeks before being received.

 

[MaryAgnes]

Br. Rich SFO:

The Church has gone back to that practice with the Rite of “Sending” to the Bishop, the Rite of Election with the Bishop, and the Baptism of adults only at the Easter Vigil. (except in necessity) .

Is that true? … that adults can be baptized ONLY at the Easter Vigil except in necessity? What constitutes “necessity?”

At our church people who have gone through the RCIA process but have had to wait for annulments are being considered for Baptism outside the Easter Season … is this licit?

 

[MaryAgnes]

Catholic Cid,

I noticed your quote on several of your posts, “Faithful Catholics taking back the rainbow.” I’m curious, What does that mean?

Thanks!

 

[CatholicCid]

MaryAgnes:

Catholic Cid,

I noticed your quote on several of your posts, “Faithful Catholics taking back the rainbow.” I’m curious, What does that mean?

Thanks!

CarolAnnSFO:

I see that one of the “Rainbow Sash” threads got updated today, and I was wondering if I was the only one a little upset that the rainbow, a beautiful creation of God, has been co-opted by a group that is trying to bend the Catholic Church to its own agenda.

I made a new ribbon bookmark for my Christian Prayer; it has ribbons of all colors of the rainbow (in the right order); I hope nobody who sees it thinks I’m in support of the Rainbow Sash movement.

In any event, I wish to restore the rainbow to its rightful place.

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=66338

Just using that one till I have time to make my own

 

[mercygate]

I have the education of a priest. When I came into the Church the pastor required that I go through all the steps (save the catechetical portion) of RCIA and that I wait until the Easter Vigil to be confirmed and receive Holy Communion.

What did I learn?

Patience, docility, and obedience. Those things will make you a whole lot better Christian (particularly a Catholic) than all the knowledge in the world.

If your friend were seriously ill or in danger of death, baptism would not be withheld.

 

[Joe_Kelley]

MaryAgnes:

Is that true? … that adults can be baptized ONLY at the Easter Vigil except in necessity? What constitutes “necessity?”

At our church people who have gone through the RCIA process but have had to wait for annulments are being considered for Baptism outside the Easter Season … is this licit?

I think this varies from one diocese to another. Our Ordinary has declared that Confirmation shall be administered only during the Easter Season [excepting danger of death emergencies]. Since adult baptism must be accompanied by Confirmation this confines Baptisms to that time period. He has offered to reconsider this if someone can give him a good argument, but so far no one has.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

MaryAgnes:

Is that true? … that adults can be baptized ONLY at the Easter Vigil except in necessity? What constitutes “necessity?”

At our church people who have gone through the RCIA process but have had to wait for annulments are being considered for Baptism outside the Easter Season … is this licit?

Yes the Norm is that adult converts are Baptized only at the Easter Vigil. Of course the Pastor can make exceptions. This requires still that the Bishop be contacted and given a reason for each person being Baptized and the Bishop authorizes the pastor to Confirm them. A Priest does not have the authority to Confirm except at the Easter Vigil and in necessity, like danger of death, without the Bishops permission.

 

[puzzleannie]

if the point has not yet been made, I add that in the case of adults (including children of catechetical age, usually over 7) baptism must be followed directly by confirmation at the same ceremony, and then reception of the Eucharist. the priest who baptizes is granted the faculty to confirm, which is limited usually to the Easter Vigil as to time, and to unbaptized adults, or to adults validly baptized in another Christian denomination who are making a profession of faith and entering into full communion with the Catholic Church.

The bishop may grant the faculty to confirm at other times, such as delegating certain priests such as deans, vicar general etc. to confirm youth when there are too many parishes or great geographic distances that would prevent the bishop from visiting each parish yearly. In our diocese the priests so delegated have a very limited faculty and may not baptize and confirm on these occasions. (this is also why the deacon may not baptize at the Easter vigil). As it happens, the number of adult Catholics who are confirmed each year on Pentecost is so large, the bishop also grants this faculty to confirm to several priests who assist him at this celebration.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

puzzleannie:

if the point has not yet been made, I add that in the case of adults (including children of catechetical age, usually over 7) baptism must be followed directly by confirmation at the same ceremony, and then reception of the Eucharist. the priest who baptizes is granted the faculty to confirm, which is limited usually to the Easter Vigil as to time, and to unbaptized adults, or to adults validly baptized in another Christian denomination who are making a profession of faith and entering into full communion with the Catholic Church.

The bishop may grant the faculty to confirm at other times, such as delegating certain priests such as deans, vicar general etc. to confirm youth when there are too many parishes or great geographic distances that would prevent the bishop from visiting each parish yearly. In our diocese the priests so delegated have a very limited faculty and may not baptize and confirm on these occasions. (this is also why the deacon may not baptize at the Easter vigil). As it happens, the number of adult Catholics who are confirmed each year on Pentecost is so large, the bishop also grants this faculty to confirm to several priests who assist him at this celebration.

That is what I was trying to point out. A priest cannot (outside of necessity) Baptize an adult outside of the Easter Vigil or Confirm an adult who is already Baptized without the Bishops specific permission.

 

[SleepyGuy]

MaryAgnes:

Is that true? … that adults can be baptized ONLY at the Easter Vigil except in necessity? What constitutes “necessity?”

The one I know about is a conditional baptism.