Concerns in my RCIA and Church

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Mr_Friscus

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Hello all, thanks for taking a peek. I’ve recently encountered some concerns in my church in regards to truly obeying the churches positions. I’ll keep this as simple and concise as possible.
  1. I’m a new convert, confirmed in October. Grew up Protestant, and I would say I’m a moderately-informed student of church history, although my knowledge grows as my studies progress.
  2. I was allowed to be confirmed at a quicker pace due to my drastic desire for it, of which I’m thankful. Yet, I still have decided to go through RCIA courses
I have to say I am entirely less than impressed with the RCIA courses. Most of the class is going around in a circle, asking people how they feel about things, which is probably okay to do for the first few minutes, but there’s no “beef” or true education going on. And to add, I’ve detected many modernist, humanist suggestions (some words and phrases are dead giveaways) regarding many long-standing issues, such as gay marriage.

And then there’s my confessions, a sacrament that I absolutely delight in. However, I also ask my priests questions. I must say, thus far they’ve alarmed me in their lack of urgency. There’s little to no demand. As I mentioned earlier, I come from Protestantism, and was well aware of the assault on Christianity by the “Mega-Rock Church” craze, along with its simplistic, no-authority, no standards, theology that at times resembled more of a drug rave rather than a worship service. I sense these new-age concepts, I’m well attuned to their language, and I hear it in my church. Quoting Francis out of context saying “Who am I to judge”, always taking the fluffy, emotional side rather than standing on the principles of the Catholic faith.

In this church, it’s just been screaming to me that they’re afraid to lay down the stances, like they’re afraid to push people away. They seem to want the transition to be as easy as possible, but that’s the rub. Being a Catholic isn’t easy in today’s world, especially as a convert who might be used to deviant actions and thought patterns. That’s what makes it so fulfilling, being able to point to your sacrifices for it, and sharing in this joint sacrifice to enter the kingdom of Heaven.

What do I do? Has anyone else encountered this?
 
I hate to be the one to break it to you, but there are many less than orthodox Catholics in the Church. Pray for the Church.
 
Even though there is a definite swing back to orthodoxy in many parishes, there are others that are still overly influenced by the “values” of the societies in which they live. This leads to false “hopes” that the Church will change her teachings on some of the hot button issues of the day. But, of course, she isn’t going to do that. And as you cited, many parishes don’t want to dump “hard” teachings, IOW those teachings that society doesn’t like, unto catechumens and candidates precisely because they are afraid of driving people away.

A bit about my own experience when I was received into the Church back in the late 80’s. The parish at which I went through RCIA was run by a very liberal/progressive order at the time. They were pushing women priests (the big issue of that day). Social justice reigned as their primary concern. I had studied some more traditional/orthodox Catholic material before starting RCIA and I too was shocked at all this and very concerned. Somehow, though, I just let it run off my back. Something deep inside kept reminding me that this one parish didn’t represent the whole Church or the whole history of the Church, but only one suburban, modern, confused group of people trying to make the faith "relevant.’ I believe they meant well, but of course they were off base, dear people. A lot of things have changed at the parish now–they’ve become more orthodox, although they still hang onto a minimalist approach I can’t get enthused about.

I stuck it out, was confirmed and found my own spirituality to guide me. After all the Mass is the Mass, the Liturgy of the Hours is still the prayer of the Church. Mary is still the Mother of God and God is still on his throne. The Church goes through all sorts of phases, especially on the local level. It can be irritating, I know, but continue in prayer and be patient in prayer for them. God will sort it all out. Our concern is to remain faithful no matter how wonderful or pitiful any one parish/diocese might be.
 
Della,

What a wonderful post. Cradle Catholics often have the same concerns as converts such as the OP.

May we all remain Faithful to the Church teachings as well as showing charity to our neighbor.

Mary.
 
PaulfromIowa said:
I hate to be the one to break it to you, but there are many less than orthodox Catholics in the Church. Pray for the Church.
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Friscus, Paul is right. What you have encountered is probably the norm in the Church today and not the exception.
 
What you describe is unfortunately more common than you would expect. I still remember being in RCIA and having to gently correct the Director of Adult Formation when she stated that the Nicean Creed was promulgated from Nice, France (“my apologies, don’t you mean Nicea in current day Turkey?”) and that moral questions are purely a matter of personal conscience (in reference to what is mortal sin).

I believe you are correct in that one of two things are going on. First, would be simply ignorance. There are a number of people that volunteer to teach that do not have a full grasp on the fundamentals of the faith. The second possibility is those that don’t want to take a stance. One of the deacons when I volunteered was like that. A lady in class asked if dogs go to heaven and he said of course they do. When I talked to him later that evening he said that he knows that isn’t what the Church teaches, but he didn’t want to devastate this woman that held in her heart that her dog that died 20 years ago was waiting for her. As a mater of charity I will leave off a third possibility of those that are knowingly and maliciously undermining Church teaching.

What can you do? My suggestion is to volunteer to teach in the future. We can either abandon others to error or fight back by proclaiming the truth. Note, that this can be difficult though, We had a team of three that had headed up RCIA for 10+ years and they wanted nothing to do with changing the feelings based approach they used. If you have the opportunity you might either have to be more circumspect about correcting things or if you have a team in charge that blocks your attempts then talk to the pastor. It’s not fool proof, but I am a big proponent of “see a problem, offer to be part of the solution.”
 
I attended RCIA several years ago and it was a bait and switch. The instructor told me things about Catholicism that simply aren’t true and left out some important parts altogether. My sister had a similar experience at a neighboring parish. If I had gone through with it and converted, it certainly wouldn’t have been a genuine conversion to Catholicism. I can’t help thinking that one of the goals of the RCIA program was to get as many converts as possible, and that they lied to me to make it more appealing to this Episcopalian. There’s a more orthodox (actually, he seems kind of reactionary) priest in that parish now, and while the numbers in the RCIA program this year are smaller, the students will be better prepared to make an informed decision.
 
I changed parishes because of this reason. For years I was being told just to pray for my bf’s conversion and to be patient. I live with him- which is obviously a big no-no, yet I was always given absolution in confession. It wasn’t until I went to a different parish for confession when I encountered a Bishop in the confessional- he turned it all upside down. Gave me some consoling words and some advice and sent me out without absolution. It was a much needed wakeup call- finally I had been told by a member of the clurgy what I had long suspected. I changed parishes after that.
Never stop looking for what you know is right. Keep studying. Try going to a different parish for confession here and there and see what you learn. Most of all- keep praying for the church, it’s sad what’s happening right now and the only way to correct it is for God to intercede.
 
I never went to RCIA before becoming Catholic as we didn’t even have one. Our priest felt I pretty much knew as much as any other parishoner and could ask any questions of him but whenever I wanted to become Catholic was fine with him. I had spent several years reading different books, listening to vairous CD’s and had a fairly good grasp of the faith. But I was aware of the lack of understanding within the Catholic Church of their faith by parishioner’s when I visited with them and went to a study group. Still, I knew I was called to be Catholic and am so blessed that I converted but am very aware of a large lack of good catechisis of some but perhaps that’s why converts are needed…to help change that, at least through prayer and faithfulness to the sacraments:) Joyfully share what you are learning with others!

mlz
 
Mr_Friscus said:
What do I do? Has anyone else encountered this?
Click to expand...
You’ve gotten some great advice, keep learning, volunteer to teach, pray, etc. Consider yourself one of the converts God is bringing into the church to get it back on track.

I have encountered it in the diocese I live in.
 
Lormar said:
Friscus, Paul is right. What you have encountered is probably the norm in the Church today and not the exception.
Click to expand...
It most certainly is NOT the norm
There are many wonderful RCIA programs in many parishes.
Seek out another one, and move forward.
 
Mr_Friscus said:
Hello all, thanks for taking a peek. I’ve recently encountered some concerns in my church in regards to truly obeying the churches positions. I’ll keep this as simple and concise as possible.
  1. I’m a new convert, confirmed in October. Grew up Protestant, and I would say I’m a moderately-informed student of church history, although my knowledge grows as my studies progress.
  2. I was allowed to be confirmed at a quicker pace due to my drastic desire for it, of which I’m thankful. Yet, I still have decided to go through RCIA courses
I have to say I am entirely less than impressed with the RCIA courses. Most of the class is going around in a circle, asking people how they feel about things, which is probably okay to do for the first few minutes, but there’s no “beef” or true education going on. And to add, I’ve detected many modernist, humanist suggestions (some words and phrases are dead giveaways) regarding many long-standing issues, such as gay marriage.

And then there’s my confessions, a sacrament that I absolutely delight in. However, I also ask my priests questions. I must say, thus far they’ve alarmed me in their lack of urgency. There’s little to no demand. As I mentioned earlier, I come from Protestantism, and was well aware of the assault on Christianity by the “Mega-Rock Church” craze, along with its simplistic, no-authority, no standards, theology that at times resembled more of a drug rave rather than a worship service. I sense these new-age concepts, I’m well attuned to their language, and I hear it in my church. Quoting Francis out of context saying “Who am I to judge”, always taking the fluffy, emotional side rather than standing on the principles of the Catholic faith.

In this church, it’s just been screaming to me that they’re afraid to lay down the stances, like they’re afraid to push people away. They seem to want the transition to be as easy as possible, but that’s the rub. Being a Catholic isn’t easy in today’s world, especially as a convert who might be used to deviant actions and thought patterns. That’s what makes it so fulfilling, being able to point to your sacrifices for it, and sharing in this joint sacrifice to enter the kingdom of Heaven.

What do I do? Has anyone else encountered this?
Click to expand...
Id also suggest that if you don’t have one, pick up a copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. In it, you’ll find the correct answers. Unfortunately many parishes just get volunteers for this and many of them have been poorly catechized themselves. If there are other parishes around, try going there for Confession, especially if there are any traditional Catholic Churches that celebrate the Tridentine Mass! By the way that particular parish may have a better RIIA program, or a priest that can give you a better instruction. If you’re already Confirmed though, you sound like you may have a better grasp of the faith then they do.
 
masuwerte said:
I attended RCIA several years ago and it was a bait and switch. The instructor told me things about Catholicism that simply aren’t true and left out some important parts altogether. My sister had a similar experience at a neighboring parish. If I had gone through with it and converted, it certainly wouldn’t have been a genuine conversion to Catholicism. I can’t help thinking that one of the goals of the RCIA program was to get as many converts as possible, and that they lied to me to make it more appealing to this Episcopalian. There’s a more orthodox (actually, he seems kind of reactionary) priest in that parish now, and while the numbers in the RCIA program this year are smaller, the students will be better prepared to make an informed decision.
Click to expand...
so you remained an Episcopalian and did not convert?
 
I have been sinned against and treated more unjustly inside my Catholic Church by sexually abusive spiritual directors and priests, manipulative leaders, envious women, and shaming catholic counsellors than I’ve ever been treated unjustly in the secular world. Welcome to a church filled with sinners. I hope you stay - from the cradle catholic, clerical sexual abuse survivor, and squeaky prophet. 😀
 
So, your “concerns” are merely to point out flaws in a particular parish program?
:confused:
 
masuwerte said:
Yes, I worship God as an Episcopalian.
Click to expand...
I was an unsuccessful Roman Catholic revert due to the ‘all over the place’ variants of rcia in the local diocese. I was received by an Orthodox Eastern Catholic diocese and worship as an Orthodox Catholic.
 
If there is a standard RCIA program for all USA dioceses, I’ve never heard of it. Maybe our pianistclare would have info about that. 🙂

If there isn’t, there should be. RCIA ought to be standard, well taught, and well directed. That’s the ideal. And in many places RCIA is done very well. In others not so much, as people have shared from their own experiences. By “softening” the Church’s teachings and fudging the truth, those who hope to bring people in often do just the opposite. People aren’t stupid nor do they need to be coddled. We need to have the truth so we can come into the faith understanding what we are committing ourselves to. I agree.

Even so, I don’t think anyone should be discouraged from being received into the Church because of a poor RCIA program. Discernment ought to be based on God’s call, not the competency or incompetency of any particular RCIA program. We have to listen in prayer to what God wants us to do. Some of us will be called to improve such things in our parishes and for others we need to go where we can be useful/receive what we need. Would that the latter were not true, but sometimes it cannot be avoided.
 
Back around 1998 my wife and I didn’t use the diocesan RCIA materials at all, and made our own Bible and Catechism based curriculum.
 
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