Am I technically a Catholic?

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I was baptized in the Catholic church as an infant and received my First Communion when I was about 7. I was never confirmed, however. Although I do not feel Catholic (my parents ended up divorcing, we quit going to church, and that’s why I was never confirmed), I wonder if, technically, I am considered a Catholic. I have been considering RICA and would just like to know going into it where I stand in the eyes of the Church. I have been attending and was married in a United Church of Christ. This is because my husband is not Catholic and we were not as strong in our faith as we are now. I see going back to the Catholic church as way of deepening my faith.
 
Yes, technically you are Catholic. I would highly recommend visiting with a priest to determine what steps you can take to come back to the Church.

I was also baptized Catholic, left the Church, married outside the Church, and then came back. Coming back to the Church was a wonderful experience as I was recently confimed. My wife even took the journey with me and she has since converted.

Feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions as it appears you and I have had some similar experiences!
 
You need to talk to your priest and obtain a copy of your baptismal record from the parish that you were baptized in.

The priest may still recommend RCIA classes. However, if you have receved first communion already all you have to do is go to confession to once again be in communion with the Church.

Welcome Home!!! 👋
 
alwayslooking said:
You need to talk to your priest and obtain a copy of your baptismal record from the parish that you were baptized in.

The priest may still recommend RCIA classes. However, if you have receved first communion already all you have to do is go to confession to once again be in communion with the Church.

Welcome Home!!! 👋
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Wouldn’t she also need to have her marriage convalidated? I am pretty sure this is the case.
 
Boulder257 said:
Wouldn’t she also need to have her marriage convalidated? I am pretty sure this is the case.
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Yes she would. It’s wonderful that you’re wanting to come home! Yes, see a Priest, he should be able to help you!
 
Thank you for your quick replies and your support 🙂

I did wonder about how the Church would view my non-Catholic marriage and now I am wondering about my children. Maybe you can help here too. My son is six and my daughter is 4, both were baptized (in trinity), but not in a Catholic Church. My husband and I have no problem in raising them Catholic. In fact, both are currently attending a Catholic school. My husband is willing to convert, although he will probably wait only because if would be difficult for both of us to participate in RCIA at the same time.
 
Chances are the Church will respect their baptism, provided it meets certain criteria. It sounds to me like it is valid, but I don’t know the details. Nonetheless, the Church would welcome you and your family. It’s really not as much about the legalism, although sometimes it seems that way. Set an appointment with a priest, go to confession, have the marriage convalidated (your husband does not even have to convert to do this) and welcome home! I am so excited for you and your family!!!
 
You are technically a Catholic and attending RCIA would be a good fit for you. Hopefully, your husband would come with you to learn more about Catholicism. You should make an appointment with a priest to discuss your return to the sacraments. Welcome Home!!
 
In addition to what was said above, RCIA classes will probably be recommended by your priest both to give you the education in Catholicism that you missed out on, and to prepare you for the sacrament of confirmation, which you have not yet received.
 
I just spoke to a women today and told her she was Catholic and she needed to go back to the Catholic Church.
 
That is great that you are considering coming back to the Church!

You have been Catholic from the moment of your Baptism.

Unfortunately, on the contrary to what some other posters have suggested, it is not as simple as going to Confession and that being your way back into the Church.

You need to speak with a priest. Catholics may only marry within the Church, period. This is not just about how you are “supposed to do it,” but concerns the very validity of the marriage
 
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