Am I already a Catholic?

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LostSheep7

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I was raised as Protestant and recently coverted to Catholicism.

I’ve not yet received the conditional Baptism (I was baptized at an Assemblie of God, but later became a Presbyterian) or, obviously, any Sacrament at the Church, but I firmly believe in the Catholic Faith now and confess that it’s the only True Church founded by Our Lord Jesus Christ.

My question is: Am I a Catholic? Or I will become one only when I’m formaly received at the Church?

In Cor Jesu.
 
If yoy were baptized with a Trinitarian formula, you are technically Catholic. However, you will come into the true fullness of the Church when you reccieve the Sacraments of Initiation.

EDIT: There is more nuance to this. See Post 14 for more.
 
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Yes, my Baptism followed the trinitarian formula.

Thanks for your answer!
 
Welcome home! May your swim of the Tiber be quick and easy.
 
I think to be correct you are a candidate for full communion in the Catholic Church, though in casual conversation it is probably easier to simply say you are Catholic. I trust that you are in RCIA and preparing to be received into the Church.
 
I already talked to my priest and I’ll start the RCIA in march, God willing!
 
yes I support the views of Maximillian. Baptism need not be more than one time, accepted with Good Faith in Holy Spirit, as you have the belief in ONE SUPERNATURAL GOD LIVE FOREVER. Only the other people from other factions give and take their own time to renew it and agree only if it is done is their own hands. It is nothing but for taking their own pride and ego.
 
Your desire and your conscience have made you Catholic in the Lord’s eyes. However, we each must still submit to the rite of initiation. Wait for it with hopeful expectation, and allow your anticipation to build. When the blessed day arrives, it will be filled with joy.

Welcome home!
 
That’s great news! Prayers and best wishes that it all goes well. And once you are received into the Church, confirmed, and receive the Eucharist, you won’t have to ask if you’re Catholic!
 
I was under the assumption that valid baptism, even if illicit, made one a Catholic, in terms of the universality of the Church, but I was incorrect.
 
Well, it’s not an unreasonable point of view and it has certain advantages. In the olden days, canon law operated with a member/subject distinction so that Protestants tended to be thought of as subjects of the Church (the Church’s authority) but not members of the Church. Those who were baptized Catholics were subjects and members. Nowadays, Catholics are those who are baptized/received into the Church, period. This is true at least as far as how canon law and the legal structure of the Church operates.

So, for the OP, he/she is technically/legally not a Catholic (not a member of the visible body of Christ), even though one could say that he/she is “spiritually” a Catholic (a member of the mystical body of Christ due to baptism and possession of Catholic faith). That is one way to look at it, perhaps.

Dan
 
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