Does a baptized protestant Christian go through RCIA to become Catholic?

[otjm]

Well if we are going to get technical, baptized Christians MIGHT go through RCIA. The Rite of Welcoming, the Rite of Sending, and the Rite of Calling to Continuing Conversion are specifically for candidates for full initiation.

The bigger question is, SHOULD baptized Christians be in RCIA? The growing opinion seems to be that most should not unless they have had absolutely no Christian upbringing.

Now in many dioceses and/or parishes the catechumens, candidates for full initiation, and sometimes adult Catholics seeking Confirmation are in the same faith formations classes and go through combined rites. But a lot of parishes are beginning to make a distinction between those who have been baptized and those who have not. Obviously both the baptized and unbaptized need Faith Formation but the “initiation” part is VERY different for the two groups.

My parish used to receive candidates for full initiation at the Easter Vigil but we stopped doing that a full years ago and now receive them when they are ready.

“In theory, theory and practice are the same. In practice, they are not.” Yogi Berra.

The quote may be upside down, but there are theorists, and then there is out here in the hinterlands where the rubber actually meets the road.

In a large parish, with a large number of people entering the Church, both unbaptized and Protestant (baptized), it may be that there are sufficent resources to spearate into two, three or more groups. I had heard the comment quite some time ago that there should be tow separate groups, and while I can understand the theoretical underpinnings, from a real world practical aspect, I am not at all sure I agree.

Everyone - with the possible exception of someone who has been living under a rock - has some conceptions of God, church, and etc. Much of that if not most of it may be to one degree or another, distorted. And there can be much to be gained by all seeking conversion, to hear others questions and get straight answers.

I have worked in RCIA for the most part of 20 years, and can remember one particular class in which we had two women, both from evangelical backgrounds. The questions went off like popcorn. I have no doubt there were questions broached which some of the others had never hear to that point - but were likely to confront some time in the future. i think all were blessed by those two.

There are certain parts which only pertain to the unbaptized; but it is not like the others need to be excluded. At the beginning, we explain what is coming, including the observation that some are farther along in their faith walk than others; and our goal is to assist them along the way. In all that time, I have not found it problematic having both groups together.

 

[otjm]

Any candidate that had been living the faith should not be forced to wait for 8 months if they are already 95% of the way in September.

While I agree that someone who is 95% of the way there should not ahve to go for 8 months, in the 20 years or so I avhe been involved in RCIA, I can count on one hand the number who would qualify as such, and I still have a bunch of fingers left over. What I have found is that most Protestants who apply have a whole series of issues they need to work through, and on a couple of occasions, 8 months was not enough.

And we simply are not large enough or staffed enough to run two parallel programs.
I would rather do one program and do it well for all, than try to do two half fast.

 

[phil19034]

While I agree that someone who is 95% of the way there should not ahve to go for 8 months, in the 20 years or so I avhe been involved in RCIA, I can count on one hand the number who would qualify as such, and I still have a bunch of fingers left over. What I have found is that most Protestants who apply have a whole series of issues they need to work through, and on a couple of occasions, 8 months was not enough.

And we simply are not large enough or staffed enough to run two parallel programs.
I would rather do one program and do it well for all, than try to do two half fast.

I don’t think you always need to two classes. But a parish shouldn’t be forcing the baptized to go through the rites for the non-baptized.

Some parishes treat the baptized like they are not baptized on Sundays. I believe that’s what most here are really concerned with.

 

[TabbyLilac]

Our local Catholic Church is very small, and we are located in a very rural area. I do not believe that there is a regular RCIA even offered. I’m in the process of looking into it here, but as of yet have no answers.

I do wonder though about the differences in individual level of knowledge and familiarity with doctrine and practices and whether that affects what sort of education one is offered/required prior to being confirmed.

I am a bookworm and my passion about becoming Catholic has, over the years, led me to consume tons of writings by Catholics, about Catholicism. Our bookshelves hold everything from “Catholicism for Dummies” to Augustine’s “Confessions” and dozens more. I have read the Catechism of the Catholic Church and am working my way through The United States Catholic Catechism for Adults for the second time. I am in a much different place in that regard than my fiance, who is also baptized and attends church, but who is not one to sit down and read, especially theology and such.

I am anxious to hear back from our local parish and find out what our next steps are, and I greatly appreciate this discussion from all of you.

 

[Casilda]

You sound like my husband, who came to the faith through reading. You are among the faithful God is calling into the Church or back into the church to help steer it back on course. I do hope you can find a wise priest and that your entry into the church is forthwith, without undo delay.

 

[TabbyLilac]

Thank you Casilda!! I appreciate your response, I do hope that I can give and be someone who makes the Catholic Church stronger, and your encouragement really means a lot to me. As someone who was raised by atheists and has answered this calling despite even my own earthly father’s protests, I try not to be discouraged but to remind myself that I only need care what God thinks, and that I only need listen to His desires. Thank you again!

 

[Usige]

There is no absolute requirement that a baptized convert go through all of the rites. I was received 3 to 4 months after starting. We waited until the time between Christmas and Lent since I inquired in mid October and Adent was on us shortly after. The husband of one of our friend asked our pastor the following question last summer. “Father, I’ve been going to Mass with my wife and family for 7 years. Does that make me a common law Catholic?” So it was only said semi joking, but Father meet with him 3 times and then he was received.

If your parish does not have a standing RCIA then you might be received following the same process as my friend the (former) “common law Catholic.” Unless your diocese has specific requirements, it is largely left up to the discretion of the pastor based on what his Bishop allows. It generally seems more difficult in large parishes as they have their program that they go through. Smaller parishes tend to have more flexibility in my experience, but your milage may very.

 

[mlz]

Our local Catholic Church is very small, and we are located in a very rural area. I do not believe that there is a regular RCIA even offered. I’m in the process of looking into it here, but as of yet have no answers.

I do wonder though about the differences in individual level of knowledge and familiarity with doctrine and practices and whether that affects what sort of education one is offered/required prior to being confirmed.

I am a bookworm and my passion about becoming Catholic has, over the years, led me to consume tons of writings by Catholics, about Catholicism. Our bookshelves hold everything from “Catholicism for Dummies” to Augustine’s “Confessions” and dozens more. I have read the Catechism of the Catholic Church and am working my way through The United States Catholic Catechism for Adults for the second time. I am in a much different place in that regard than my fiance, who is also baptized and attends church, but who is not one to sit down and read, especially theology and such.

I am anxious to hear back from our local parish and find out what our next steps are, and I greatly appreciate this discussion from all of you.

You sound like me I did the same thing and came into the Church before my husband who
Came in a few years later.
mlz

PS You will need a bigger bookshelf- it doesn’t stop.

 

[FrDavid96]

Well if we are going to get technical, baptized Christians MIGHT go through RCIA. The Rite of Welcoming, the Rite of Sending, and the Rite of Calling to Continuing Conversion are specifically for candidates for full initiation.

The bigger question is, SHOULD baptized Christians be in RCIA? The growing opinion seems to be that most should not unless they have had absolutely no Christian upbringing.

Now in many dioceses and/or parishes the catechumens, candidates for full initiation, and sometimes adult Catholics seeking Confirmation are in the same faith formations classes and go through combined rites. But a lot of parishes are beginning to make a distinction between those who have been baptized and those who have not. Obviously both the baptized and unbaptized need Faith Formation but the “initiation” part is VERY different for the two groups.

My parish used to receive candidates for full initiation at the Easter Vigil but we stopped doing that a full years ago and now receive them when they are ready.

Every adult becoming Catholic does go through RCIA, by definition. The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults is for every adult who is not already a fully-initiated Catholic.

RCIA is not only for the unbaptized.

There is a form of RCIA for the unbaptized and there is a form of RCIA for the already-baptized. Both of these are RCIA. There are also other forms for other circumstances.

It’s a distinction that needs to be made.

Both groups experience RCIA.

The issue is whether or not those 2 groups (or 2 forms) should be combined, rather than about saying that RCIA is not for the already baptized.

I do agree that they should be separate groups and for the most part should not be combined. But it’s not accurate to say that one group “is in RCIA” and another group “is not in RCIA.” The term applies to both.