Canon Law about RCIC for Lutheran Baptised Kid?

[SanClemente]

Here’s a complicated question about an eight-year-old kid who was baptized Lutheran in 2000, has been going to Catholic school and has bumped into some problems about First Eucharist. The situation has the potential to turn people away from the Church, and I’m hoping the smart people on these forums can help me help this family.

THE SITUATION:
The child was born in December of 1999, and received a Trinitarian baptism in his mother’s Lutheran Church. Several years ago, the father decided to return to his Catholic faith. He enrolled the child in Catholic school starting with kindergarten. The child has been preparing to receive First Eucharist in April 2008 with the rest of the second graders, and has been regularly attending Mass on Sundays.

Until recently, this family has been on a journey of faith. The father is attending RCIA to prepare for Confirmation at this year’s Easter Vigil. The child’s mother has been attending the daily Mass once or twice a week, and has been open to learning more about the Catholic faith. However, a recent change has caused them to question the Catholic Church.

Two weeks ago, the baptism certificates for the first communion kids finally made it from the school office to the rectory. After further review, the parish office discovered that the child had not received a Catholic baptism. This resulted in a requirement that the child attend RCIC, and an stipulation that the child receive First Eucharist and Confirmation at the Easter Vigil.

The mother called me because she’s been required to find a sponsor for the child, and none of their Catholic relations qualify (none have been confirmed). The mother is confused about the change in plans, and not happy with the explanations. She is under the impression that the problem is that her child’s baptism wasn’t valid. She said that the parish office told her that her child is required to make a profession of faith, that this was a matter of canon law, and that there’s no other way for her child to get the sacraments. The parish office told me that they have no option and that it is a matter of canon law. It seems to me that the kid has been as Catholic as he could be under these circumstances.

THE REQUEST:
So - can anyone point me towards any resources on this issue? I’ve search Catholic Answers on this, but I keep coming up with topics about the non-baptized or adult conversions.

I’m looking for three things:

1. References in canon law or any church documents addressing the why a validly baptized child receiving good catechetical instruction must go through RCIC and receive First Eucharist and Confirmation at the Easter Vigil (instead of with his peers.)
2. A plan of action for the much younger sibling (also baptized Lutheran) to avoid the same problem.
3. Some higher-level information I can share with the mother to help her understand why the Catholics have this requirement. She’s a bit dismayed at the sudden hard line.

Yes, I’m going to be the sponsor. The child and I will appreciate your prayers.

Thanks in advance,

SanClemente

 

[benedictgal]

Having never encountered that problem, given the demographics of my diocese, I can’t offer you a canonical answer. But, the RCIC is the most appropriate form to use in this case. Although I think the Church recognizes the Lutheran baptism, there might be some details that need addressing.

As far as the practicality of it all, it may very well be a blessing in disguise. This will allow both father and child to receive the sacraments together, and that would be most memorable for both of them. It would truly be beautiful for both members of the same family to come home together.

Now, if the mother is genuinely interested, then, perhaps, she, too, can make that same journey along with the younger sibling. So, you see, there is a way to make this a truly blessed experience.

 

[1ke]

Any baptized person over the age of reason who seeks full communion with the Catholic Church makes a profession of faith, receives Eucharist, and Confirmation all at the same time.

The child was validly baptized in the Lutheran church. They are a Lutheran, not a Catholic. Therefore, the child must follow the process for a convert, not the process for a person baptized Catholic.

 

[Phemie]

I’m not sure that there is a canon that deals with this.

This child, although baptized Lutheran, has essentially been raised as a Catholic. I would contact the diocesan office and see if that has a bearing on the situation.

 

[puzzleannie]

I have been thru this situation almost every year, because parents do not provide the baptismal information in a timely manner. What applies is the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults. Someone over age 7 is an adult for the purposes of Christian Initiation. The child in Catholic school can be prepared along with his peers in the first communion class, but should be initiated into full communion with the Catholic Church at the same time his parents complete their own initiation. For the child already validly baptized, like the on in OP, this means he will make a profession of faith, be confirmed, and receive first communion at the same time, along with the parent. He will probably receive some extra instruction about confirmation, and the rites themselves, in addition to his first communion class.

if this family had any unbaptized children under age 7, they could be baptized at this time, but would receive the other sacraments when they are older. Baptized children under 7 would be assumed to be Catholic with the initiation of their parents, that would be noted in the baptismal record of the parish along with circumstances of their baptism, and they also would complete the intiation sacraments at the normal age for Catholic children in the diocese.

No huge emergency, there is still plenty of time to prepare the child for initiation with the parents at Easter. He can still attend the actual “first communion” Mass with his classmates, and receive of course, although it won’t be his “first”.

assuming he has completed the required prep for first communion and would have been receiving with his class in
April or May, he should NOT be required to attend another year of RCIA class or instruction, but merely needs specific instructions about the rites, Lent, what happens at Easter, Confirmation etc. It can be done, with cooperation of the parents.

If the parent is being confirmed, obviously they have a qualified sponsor, who can also stand as sponsor for the child

no problemo, just needs coordination and communication, and some flexibility

 

[SMHW]

I have been thru this situation almost every year, because parents do not provide the baptismal information in a timely manner.

It seems in the situation of the OP that the Catholic school staff needs some education to head off such problems. I would have thought the school would have requested baptismal information when the child (then still an “infant” for sacramental purposes) was enrolled.

Or are children under the age of seven not eligible to be received into the Church if the Catholic parent(s) are not fully initiated?

 

[John_Lilburne]

…3. Some higher-level information I can share with the mother to help her understand why the Catholics have this requirement. She’s a bit dismayed at the sudden hard line.

In the 2007 Apostolic Exhortation Sacramentum Caritatis, Pope Benedict highlighted the challenges and the need to address them:

“The order of the sacraments of initiation
18. In this regard, attention needs to be paid to the order of the sacraments of initiation. Different traditions exist within the Church. There is a clear variation between, on the one hand, the ecclesial customs of the East (50) and the practice of the West regarding the initiation of adults, (51) and, on the other hand, the procedure adopted for children. (52) Yet these variations are not properly of the dogmatic order, but are pastoral in character. Concretely, it needs to be seen which practice better enables the faithful to put the sacrament of the Eucharist at the centre, as the goal of the whole process of initiation. In close collaboration with the competent offices of the Roman Curia, Bishops’ Conferences should examine the effectiveness of current approaches to Christian initiation, so that the faithful can be helped both to mature through the formation received in our communities and to give their lives an authentically eucharistic direction, so that they can offer a reason for the hope within them in a way suited to our times (cf. 1 Pet 3:15).”
Footnotes:
“(50) Cf. Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches, can. 710.
(51) Cf. Rite of the Christian Initiation of Adults, General Introduction, 34-36.
(52) Cf. Rite of Baptism for Children, Introduction, 18-19.”
The full document is at vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/apost_exhortations/documents/hf_ben-xvi_exh_20070222_sacramentum-caritatis_en.html .

The RCIA introductions for England and Wales are at catholic-ew.org.uk/liturgy/Resources/Rites/RiteRitual.html#RCIA . The USA edition has different paragraph numbers. In n. 246 of the English edition it highlights that there are factors in the timing:

• Easter Vigil
• Established that children ready for the sacraments
• Time that bapstised companions are to receive confirmation or eucharist.

Here is the text:

246 In regard to the time for the celebration of the steps of initiation, it is preferable that, if possible, the final period of preparation, begun by the second step, the penitential rites, coincide with Lent and that the final step, celebration of the sacraments of initiation, take place at the Easter Vigil (see no. 8). Nevertheless before the children are admitted to the sacraments at Easter, it should be established that they are ready for the sacraments. Celebration at this time must also be consistent with the programme of catechetical instruction they are receiving, since the candidates should, if possible, come to the sacraments of initiation at the time that their baptised companions are to receive confirmation or eucharist.

So an argument could be made that in this case insufficient attention is being given to the last sentence, too much to the first sentence.

This paragraph is in n. 256 of the USA edition of the RCIA book (The Rites Volume One, Liturgical Press, 1990, ISBN: 0-8146-6015-0, page 171).

A book that may be helpful: Brown, Kathy and Sokol, Frank, (eds.) Issues in the Christian Initiation of Children: Catechesis and Liturgy. (Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications, 1991) at Amazon: amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0930467973/bibliographyndcp .

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Here’s a complicated question about an eight-year-old kid who was baptized Lutheran in 2000, has been going to Catholic school and has bumped into some problems about First Eucharist. The situation has the potential to turn people away from the Church, and I’m hoping the smart people on these forums can help me help this family.

THE SITUATION:
The child was born in December of 1999, and received a Trinitarian baptism in his mother’s Lutheran Church. Several years ago, the father decided to return to his Catholic faith. He enrolled the child in Catholic school starting with kindergarten. The child has been preparing to receive First Eucharist in April 2008 with the rest of the second graders, and has been regularly attending Mass on Sundays.

Until recently, this family has been on a journey of faith. The father is attending RCIA to prepare for Confirmation at this year’s Easter Vigil. The child’s mother has been attending the daily Mass once or twice a week, and has been open to learning more about the Catholic faith. However, a recent change has caused them to question the Catholic Church.

Two weeks ago, the baptism certificates for the first communion kids finally made it from the school office to the rectory. After further review, the parish office discovered that the child had not received a Catholic baptism. This resulted in a requirement that the child attend RCIC, and an stipulation that the child receive First Eucharist and Confirmation at the Easter Vigil.

The mother called me because she’s been required to find a sponsor for the child, and none of their Catholic relations qualify (none have been confirmed). The mother is confused about the change in plans, and not happy with the explanations. She is under the impression that the problem is that her child’s baptism wasn’t valid. She said that the parish office told her that her child is required to make a profession of faith, that this was a matter of canon law, and that there’s no other way for her child to get the sacraments. The parish office told me that they have no option and that it is a matter of canon law. It seems to me that the kid has been as Catholic as he could be under these circumstances.

THE REQUEST:
So - can anyone point me towards any resources on this issue? I’ve search Catholic Answers on this, but I keep coming up with topics about the non-baptized or adult conversions.

I’m looking for three things:

1. References in canon law or any church documents addressing the why a validly baptized child receiving good catechetical instruction must go through RCIC and receive First Eucharist and Confirmation at the Easter Vigil (instead of with his peers.)
2. A plan of action for the much younger sibling (also baptized Lutheran) to avoid the same problem.
3. Some higher-level information I can share with the mother to help her understand why the Catholics have this requirement. She’s a bit dismayed at the sudden hard line.

Yes, I’m going to be the sponsor. The child and I will appreciate your prayers.

Thanks in advance,

SanClemente

In my opinion A child who is already validly Baptized should not enter into RCIA for children. But should be placed in the Faith Formation process for their age and the Sacramental Preparation process for their age. For instance a child who is 9 would prepare for First Holy Communion and the later with their class prepare for Confirmation. Nothing in Canon Law requires them to receive Holy Communion and Confirmation at the same time. A teen of say 14 or 15 would prepare for First Holy Communion and at the same time prepare for Confirmation with others their age if Confirmation is normally celebrated at 15. In some diocese a teen of 15 would be Confirmed first with their class of peers and then also receive Holy Communion at the same Mass.

 

[John_Lilburne]

There are more arguments that can be made about why a child should not have the ceremony of* Reception of Baptised Christians into the Full Communion of the Catholic Church* at the Easter Vigil.

From the RCIA book, n. 475 in USA editon:
“Any appearance of triumphalism should be carefully avoided and the manner of celebrating this Mass should be decided beforehand and with a view to the particular circumstances. Both the ecumenical implications and the bond between the candidate and the parish community should be considered. Often it will be preferable to celebrate the Mass with only a few relatives and friends. If for a serious reason Mass cannot be celebrated, the reception should at least take place within a liturgy of the word, whenever this is possible. The person to be received into full communion should be consulted about the form of reception.”

Despite this, reception at the Easter Vigil remains an option. As it has the Directory on Ecumenism: “100. According to the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, those adhering to Christ for the first time are normally baptized during the Paschal Vigil. Where the celebration of this Rite includes the reception into full communion of those already baptized, a clear distinction must be made between them and those who are not yet baptized.” (The full document is at vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/chrstuni/documents/rc_pc_chrstuni_doc_25031993_principles-and-norms-on-ecumenism_en.html ).

There may be U.S.A. laws that further discourage this.

U.S. law. it is preferable that reception into full communion not take place at the Easter Vigil lest there be any confusion of such baptized Christians with the candidates for baptsim, possible misunderstanding of or even reflection upon the sacrament of baptism celebrated in another church or ecclesial community, or any perceived triumphalism in the liturgical welcome into the Catholic Eucharistic community. (NSC, 13)

From John Huels, The Pastoral Companion, Franciscan Press, 1995, ISBN 0-8199-0968-8, page 81.

Here “NSC” refers to “National Statutes for the Catechumenate, approved by the NCCB and appended to the U.S. editions of the RCIA”. The “NCCB” is now called the “USCCB”.

 

[Phemie]

Certainly the people from the North American Forum on the Catechumenate with whom I dealt when I did “Beginnings and Beyond” didn’t think much of the option for reception into full communion at the Vigil. They feared, rightly so it seems, that no other option would be used. Certainly when it seemed that we might have someone asking for full communion our pastor at the time was practically salivating the thought of having someone to receive at the Vigil. We argued with him but he wasn’t having it at any other time. It didn’t materialize though so we didn’t have to deal with it.

The only person who has been received into the Church in our parish in the last 10 years was a 10 year old catechumen 3 years ago. She underwent private lessons with the parish associate (a sister of mercy) and followed all the periods and the steps.

 

[John_Lilburne]

… Nothing in Canon Law requires them to receive Holy Communion and Confirmation at the same time. …

Confirmation is required for the Reception of Baptised Christians into the Full Communion of the Catholic Church.

1. If the person being received has not yet received the sacrament of confirmation, the celebrant lays hands on the candidate’s head and begins the rite of confirmation with the following prayer.

From the Directory on Ecumenism at vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/chrstuni/documents/rc_pc_chrstuni_doc_25031993_principles-and-norms-on-ecumenism_en.html :

1. In the present state of our relations with the ecclesial Communities of the Reformation of the 16th century, we have not yet reached agreement about the significance or sacramental nature or even of the administration of the sacrament of Confirmation. Therefore, under present circumstances, persons entering into full communion with the Catholic Church from one of these Communities are to receive the sacrament of Confirmation according to the doctrine and rite of the Catholic Church before being admitted to Eucharistic communion.

The reception can take place outside Mass, but then the Mass and communion should be “as soon as possible” after this. (USA RCIA 476 and 484).

 

[SMHW]

Confirmation is required for the Reception of Baptised Christians into the Full Communion of the Catholic Church.

I am still not clear on the circumstances of this child. While it is true that the child was baptized as a Lutheran, this child does have a Catholic father, albeit a Catholic who has never been fully initiated.

Since it seems this father returned to some sort of practice of his faith prior to the time the child reached the age of reason, was it necessary that the child’s father be fully initiated prior to the child becoming Catholic?

Of course none of this matters now since the child did reach the age of reason.

 

[John_Lilburne]

…
Since it seems this father returned to some sort of practice of his faith prior to the time the child reached the age of reason, was it necessary that the child’s father be fully initiated prior to the child becoming Catholic? …

The bishop decides who he does, or does not, receive into the full communion of the Catholic Church. (USA RCIA n. 481, English RCIA n. 394).

But requiring a child to have at least one parent to be fully initiated seems a reasonable policy by the bishop.

The 1993 Ecumenical Directory at vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/chrstuni/documents/rc_pc_chrstuni_doc_25031993_principles-and-norms-on-ecumenism_en.html has:

1. … e) It is desirable that Synods of Eastern Catholic Churches and Episcopal Conferences issue guidelines for the reception into full communion of Christians baptized into other Churches and ecclesial Communities. Account is to be taken of the fact that they are not catechumens and of the degree of knowledge and practice of the Christian faith which they may have.

I am not sure what guidelines have resulted.

 

[puzzleannie]

It seems in the situation of the OP that the Catholic school staff needs some education to head off such problems. I would have thought the school would have requested baptismal information when the child (then still an “infant” for sacramental purposes) was enrolled.

Or are children under the age of seven not eligible to be received into the Church if the Catholic parent(s) are not fully initiated?

part of the problem is that sacramental initiation is the province of the parish and pastor, not of the school. yes, the situation should have been discovered when the child registered for school but there was an oversight, and now it is being rectified. no problem, just some juggling and nothing that cannot be handled properly with good communication.

the situation would have played out the same way since from OP it seems parents are to be brought into full communion at this coming Easter, so children would have been intiated as I described earlier.

there is no “hard line” here, and no sudden change of rules. there was simply info that was not available to the parish at the beginning and now that complete info has been received, the matter is being handled properly. it would be great, however, if the pastor would meet with the family and explain the situation.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Confirmation is required for the Reception of Baptised Christians into the Full Communion of the Catholic Church.

From the Directory on Ecumenism at vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/chrstuni/documents/rc_pc_chrstuni_doc_25031993_principles-and-norms-on-ecumenism_en.html :

The reception can take place outside Mass, but then the Mass and communion should be “as soon as possible” after this. (USA RCIA 476 and 484).

I am confused by your post, what exactly are you trying to say?

 

[puzzleannie]

the bishop of the diocese has the authority over whether the baptized will be received into full communion at Easter or another time, whether confirmation will be conferred at that time for baptized children over 7, and whether the priest has the faculty to confirm the baptized at Easter. OP needs to consult the pastor or RCIA director to find out the law that pertains in her diocese.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

the bishop of the diocese has the authority over whether the baptized will be received into full communion at Easter or another time, whether confirmation will be conferred at that time for baptized children over 7, and whether the priest has the faculty to confirm the baptized at Easter. OP needs to consult the pastor or RCIA director to find out the law that pertains in her diocese.

That is correct. Nothing in Canon Law however requires that the Sacrament of Confirmation be received at the same time as First Holy Communion by an already validly Baptized child.

 

[quiet52]

Here’s a complicated question about an eight-year-old kid who was baptized Lutheran in 2000, has been going to Catholic school and has bumped into some problems about First Eucharist. The situation has the potential to turn people away from the Church, and I’m hoping the smart people on these forums can help me help this family.

…The child has been preparing to receive First Eucharist in April 2008 with the rest of the second graders, and has been regularly attending Mass on Sundays.

…However, a recent change has caused them to question the Catholic Church.

… the parish office discovered that the child had not received a Catholic baptism. This resulted in a requirement that the child attend RCIC, and an stipulation that the child receive First Eucharist and Confirmation at the Easter Vigil.

The mother called me because she’s been required to find a sponsor for the child, and none of their Catholic relations qualify (none have been confirmed). The mother is confused about the change in plans, and not happy with the explanations. She is under the impression that the problem is that her child’s baptism wasn’t valid. She said that the parish office told her that her child is required to make a profession of faith, that this was a matter of canon law, and that there’s no other way for her child to get the sacraments. The parish office told me that they have no option and that it is a matter of canon law. It seems to me that the kid has been as Catholic as he could be under these circumstances.

THE REQUEST:
So - can anyone point me towards any resources on this issue? I’ve search Catholic Answers on this, but I keep coming up with topics about the non-baptized or adult conversions.

I’m looking for three things:

1. References in canon law or any church documents addressing the why a validly baptized child receiving good catechetical instruction must go through RCIC and receive First Eucharist and Confirmation at the Easter Vigil (instead of with his peers.)
2. A plan of action for the much younger sibling (also baptized Lutheran) to avoid the same problem.
3. Some higher-level information I can share with the mother to help her understand why the Catholics have this requirement. She’s a bit dismayed at the sudden hard line.

Yes, I’m going to be the sponsor. The child and I will appreciate your prayers.

Thank you for sponsoring this child. Please remember it will be a life-long relationship.

No matter “how Catholic” this child’s parent may be, the child cannot receive First Eucharist as a Lutheran. He/she must first be received into the Catholic Church. As a candidate for full communion this child would make a profession of faith: “I believe and profess all that the holy Catholic Church believes, teaches, and proclaims to be revealed by God.” Then he/she will go to the celebrant, who addresses him/her by name and says: The Lord receives you into the Catholic Church. His loving kindness has led you here, so that in the unity of the Holy Spirit you may have full communion with us in the faith that you have professed in the presence of his family.

During a Mass when the 2nd or 3rd graders receive their First Eucharist, they are presumed to already be Catholic. This “Act of Reception” does not take place then. That is why the child you’re sponsoring cannot receive with his/her class.

I hope things can be ironed out prior to this Easter Vigil. However, if it cannot be, perhaps this child can be confirmed and receive First Eucharist during this Easter season, which ends on Pentecost Sunday. Don’t give up – perhaps you can phone the pastor yourself to ask for his intervention.

In the meantime, talk with the child’s mom. Tell her that the Church, which is holy because she is Christ’s, includes over a billion people who sin and who are imperfect. Tell her forgiveness toward others for making mistakes is an expected part of being a Catholic Christian. Tell her that someone’s bureaucratic mistake is no good reason to not to grow in, participate in, or celebrate the faith.

Also, talk with the pastor now, about the sibling who is under the age of reason.

 

[puzzleannie]

the RCIA director probably also dropped the ball by not interviewing the parent who is entering the Church, and ascertaining if there were others, child or adult, in the family in need of sacraments.

 

[SMHW]

That is correct. Nothing in Canon Law however requires that the Sacrament of Confirmation be received at the same time as First Holy Communion by an already validly Baptized child.

But at this point this ‘child’ is technically a non-Catholic ‘adult’.

I guess what makes this so odd to me is that if the school and parish staff had realized that this child, whom the father apparently intended to raise as a Catholic, was not a Catholic back when he was enrolled in school as a five-year-old, then the situation could have been different.

The father could have been advised that he (the father) would have to be fully initiated as a condition for his children to become members of the Church. At that point the father could possibly have been confirmed prior to the older child’s seventh birthday. Or the provision could have been made to receive the children into the Church even without the father being fully initiated.

Had the child in question been received into the Church prior to reaching his ‘liturgical adulthood’ then he would be receiving his first sacraments at the same time as his classmates.