Are unconfirmed Catholics still Catholics?

[Kratz]

Wow, I feel naive asking this…

I’ve just recently been drawn to the Catholic faith and I have a lot to learn. I was wondering, am I considered a Catholic because of my beliefs, or do I have to be confirmed to be called a Catholic?

 

[puzzleannie]

You are not Catholic until you have been baptized. If you have been baptized into another Christian denomination you are not Catholic until you have requested and been accepted into full communion with the Catholic Church, through Confirmation, which includes the profession of Faith, and reception of first communion, preceded by sacramental confession. Welcome Home!

 

[mommyof4]

Wow, I feel naive asking this…

I’ve just recently been drawn to the Catholic faith and I have a lot to learn. I was wondering, am I considered a Catholic because of my beliefs, or do I have to be confirmed to be called a Catholic?

Welcome home, and praying for you!!!

Don’t feel naive- we all have a lot to learn about the Catholic faith, that’s why so many of us are here in the first place.

 

[Kratz]

I have been baptized in another Christian denomination. You mean I can’t be a Catholic until I’ve been Confirmed?

 

[mommyof4]

I have been baptized in another Christian denomination. You mean I can’t be a Catholic until I’ve been Confirmed?

You would have to go through the RCIA process in your parish. Typically, they run during the academic year (Sept-March/April), and then at the Easter vigil you would be fully received into the Catholic church. If you are serious about becoming Catholic, I would call your local parish and they could provide you with more specifics.

 

[puzzleannie]

correction, RCIA may or may not be the best way to prepare for reception in the Church, it depends on the individual, and for a baptized person, the custom in your area may be for reception at a time other than Easter. the way to find out is to make an appointment with the pastor of the Catholic parish where you would like to do your preparation and be received (or the closest church to you). The will be pretty busy this week, so try calling about Wed. after Easter to begin preparation for next year. If they tell you “we don’t have a class starting until September” keep looking at other parishes.

 

[achmafooma]

I have been baptized in another Christian denomination. You mean I can’t be a Catholic until I’ve been Confirmed?

Well, technically speaking, every validly Baptized Christian (regardless of their denomination) is a member of Christ’s Church…which is the Catholic Church. So, although it might offend many members of non-Catholic Christian communities to hear it, they are technically Catholics they are just not in full communion with the Church.

Because of the imperfect communion, you typically wouldn’t call yourself Catholic in that situation. I’m not aware of any formal prohibition against it, but it would be potentially confusing. When we think of somebody who is ‘Catholic,’ that usually means somebody who is in full communion with the Church and is receiving the Sacraments.

If you decide you wish to enter into full communion, while you are preparing for reception you would be called a ‘Candidate.’ Then, after your Confirmation, you would be a Catholic in full communion just like most people who call themselves Catholic.

Don’t feel naive! You’re learning! I am a convert myself, and had to ask a lot of questions while I was being drawn to the Catholic faith and clear up a lot of misconceptions. Keep asking .

God bless you!

 

[mommyof4]

correction, RCIA may or may not be the best way to prepare for reception in the Church, it depends on the individual, and for a baptized person, the custom in your area may be for reception at a time other than Easter. the way to find out is to make an appointment with the pastor of the Catholic parish where you would like to do your preparation and be received (or the closest church to you). The will be pretty busy this week, so try calling about Wed. after Easter to begin preparation for next year. If they tell you “we don’t have a class starting until September” keep looking at other parishes.

I stand corrected. That’s just the only way I have heard of it being done in our area.

 

[Barbkw]

As above, normally converts to Catholicism attend 9 months of RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults).

You would attend your first Sacrament of Reconciliation and then at the Easter Vigil Mass you (as a baptised Christian) would be received into the Church and would receive both your first Eucharist and Confirmation.