Help! RCIA is killing me!

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I am a lifelong Baptist who is just beginning the inquiry phase of RCIA. For the past couple of years I have read numerous books, watched a lot of EWTN, spent a lot of time on this site, etc. Throughout that time, I have gone from being skeptical or hostile to uniquely Catholic beliefs, to being more open to them, to embracing them as my own. I have been very excited about beginning RCIA and finally coming home to the Catholic Church!

Until last night. Last night I attended my second RCIA meeting and I was told several things which greatly troubled me: “The Catechism is out of date.” “The Church no longer talks about indulgences.” Statements were also made about the Bible that I felt were way too far down the “figurative language” route.

This does not seem to be the Catholic Church of EWTN, Catholic Answers, or (it seems to me) John Paul II. It is going to be difficult persevering in an RCIA program that I feel is trying to make me LESS Catholic than I already am. To make things worth, I live in a small town and this is the only Catholic parish!

Can someone please give me some advice? Encouragement? Anything?
 
The Catechism is about 10 years old. Out of date? Hardly. The Holy Father says it is the sure norm for teaching.

X. INDULGENCES

1471 The doctrine and practice of indulgences in the Church are closely linked to the effects of the sacrament of Penance.

What is an indulgence?

"An indulgence is a remission before God of the temporal punishment due to sins whose guilt has already been forgiven, which the faithful Christian who is duly disposed gains under certain prescribed conditions through the action of the Church which, as the minister of redemption, dispenses and applies with authority the treasury of the satisfactions of Christ and the saints."81 "An indulgence is partial or plenary according as it removes either part or all of the temporal punishment due to sin."82 The faithful can gain indulgences for themselves or apply them to the dead.83

The punishments of sin

1472 To understand this doctrine and practice of the Church, it is necessary to understand that sin has a double consequence. Grave sin deprives us of communion with God and therefore makes us incapable of eternal life, the privation of which is called the “eternal punishment” of sin. On the other hand every sin, even venial, entails an unhealthy attachment to creatures, which must be purified either here on earth, or after death in the state called Purgatory. This purification frees one from what is called the “temporal punishment” of sin. These two punishments must not be conceived of as a kind of vengeance inflicted by God from without, but as following from the very nature of sin. A conversion which proceeds from a fervent charity can attain the complete purification of the sinner in such a way that no punishment would remain.84

1473 The forgiveness of sin and restoration of communion with God entail the remission of the eternal punishment of sin, but temporal punishment of sin remains. While patiently bearing sufferings and trials of all kinds and, when the day comes, serenely facing death, the Christian must strive to accept this temporal punishment of sin as a grace. He should strive by works of mercy and charity, as well as by prayer and the various practices of penance, to put off completely the “old man” and to put on the "new man."85

In the Communion of Saints

1474 The Christian who seeks to purify himself of his sin and to become holy with the help of God’s grace is not alone. "The life of each of God’s children is joined in Christ and through Christ in a wonderful way to the life of all the other Christian brethren in the supernatural unity of the Mystical Body of Christ, as in a single mystical person."86

1475 In the communion of saints, "a perennial link of charity exists between the faithful who have already reached their heavenly home, those who are expiating their sins in purgatory and those who are still pilgrims on earth. between them there is, too, an abundant exchange of all good things."87 In this wonderful exchange, the holiness of one profits others, well beyond the harm that the sin of one could cause others. Thus recourse to the communion of saints lets the contrite sinner be more promptly and efficaciously purified of the punishments for sin.

1476 We also call these spiritual goods of the communion of saints the Church’s treasury, which is "not the sum total of the material goods which have accumulated during the course of the centuries. On the contrary the ‘treasury of the Church’ is the infinite value, which can never be exhausted, which Christ’s merits have before God. They were offered so that the whole of mankind could be set free from sin and attain communion with the Father. In Christ, the Redeemer himself, the satisfactions and merits of his Redemption exist and find their efficacy."88

1477 "This treasury includes as well the prayers and good works of the Blessed Virgin Mary. They are truly immense, unfathomable, and even pristine in their value before God. In the treasury, too, are the prayers and good works of all the saints, all those who have followed in the footsteps of Christ the Lord and by his grace have made their lives holy and carried out the mission in the unity of the Mystical Body."89
 
Obtaining indulgence from God through the Church

1478 An indulgence is obtained through the Church who, by virtue of the power of binding and loosing granted her by Christ Jesus, intervenes in favor of individual Christians and opens for them the treasury of the merits of Christ and the saints to obtain from the Father of mercies the remission of the temporal punishments due for their sins. Thus the Church does not want simply to come to the aid of these Christians, but also to spur them to works of devotion, penance, and charity.90

1479 Since the faithful departed now being purified are also members of the same communion of saints, one way we can help them is to obtain indulgences for them, so that the temporal punishments due for their sins may be remitted.
 
Apostolic Letter

With today’s promulgation of the Latin typical edition, therefore, the task of composing the Catechism, begun in 1986, is brought to a close and the desire of the aforementioned Extraordinary Synod of Bishops is happily fulfilled. The Church now has at her disposal this new, authoritative exposition of the one and perennial apostolic faith, and it will serve as a “valid and legitimate instrument for ecclesial communion” and as a “sure norm for teaching the faith,” as well as a “sure and authentic reference text” for preparing local catechisms (cf. Apostolic Constitution Fidei Depositum, no. 4).

Catechesis will find in this genuine, systematic presentation of the faith and of Catholic doctrine a totally reliable way to present, with renewed fervor, each and every part of the Christian message to the people of our time. This text will provide every catechist with sound help for communicating the one, perennial deposit of faith within the local Church, while seeking, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to link the wondrous unity of the Christian mystery with the varied needs and conditions of those to whom this message is addressed. All catechetical activity will be able to experience a new, widespread impetus among the People of God, if it can properly use and appreciate this post-conciliar Catechism.
 
Yes, I believe in indulgences. And in everything else the Catechism teaches. My problem is that I’m worried I’m entering an RCIA program that is dominated by a liberal interpretation of everything. I’m going to stick with it and be patient, but I’m just a little down about it today.
 
My problem with going to an out-of-town parish is that it would prevent me from joining in the local community of the faithful to as full an extent as I could with the parish in my town.

Perhaps I shouldn’t have made my original post in the first place; my frustration got the better of me. I will pray about it, be patient, and postpone any decision to find another parish until I experience more of the program. It is possible I encountered a lone liberal in the parish’s RCIA and things will greatly improve. That’s my prayer.
 
And y’all keep on comin’ back here! You might at some point have to switch parishes. Interesting, isn’t it, that we converts all come to join the Church of the Fathers, of Ambrose, Augustine, Aquinas, Ignatius of Loyola and Fulton Sheen, while the “homeboys” want to turn it into the Church of What’s Happening Now!
 
JD…Even Catholics get frustrated by others in our Church who try to water down the truth. Maybe God is using you to stir things up. God Bless ya man.
 
I wouldn’t be so quick to abandon a Parish because of a single RCIA instructor.

Perhaps you can find a knowledgeable sponsor to help you validate some of the teachings you hear? Or bring your questions directly to your Priest of Deacon?

I have not had a similar experience directly, but I did have some problems with a very liberal leader of our catechesis efforts.

In our “Family Faith Formation” class the instructor maintained on separate occasions that “someday the church will get it right and women will be allowed to be priests” that “homosexuality is not sinful” and that “all Christians will go to heaven no matter what denomination they belong too”.

Though I would be particularly happy if that last one was true, she was at best misleading my children, at worse down right heretical.

After a conversation with my Priest I moved my children to another teacher, but I wouldn’t give up my parish because of her.

She’s also learned to keep her “opinions” to herself and sticks to teaching the faith as promulgated by the catechism and is actually quite good at her job now.

Perhaps the same would work for you?

Chuck
 
JDhallKY,

The leaders in your RCIA program had to do something to justify their errant views, and I was not surprised to read your statement that they claimed the Catechism to be out of date. Ditching the Catechism enables them to say what suits them as individuals. Their claim that it is out of date is their way to invalidate what is contained therein. Naturally, they have taken liberties with scripture as well. Apparently, it’s a very ancient book and probably out of date too. Obviously, the immutable teachings of scripture and those of the Church do not go out of date and these people need a wake up call.

I second the motion on the Catechism. Take a copy to class with you and do not waver from what is contained therein. When challenged on its contents, turn the tables on your antagonists. Insist that they provide the updated materials upon which they draw their errant views. When they cannot produce the full text of an encyclical that establishes their claims or a clear statement from the Magesterium, you can ask them by what authority they teach the things that you find contrary to official Church teaching.

Don’t get discouraged. You have been called by God to the Church and you have been planted in a place that needs help. You just might be the best thing that could happen to that Parish’s RCIA program. Naturally, make you approach gentle and loving beyond measure. Just let the truth speak for itself.

If you need help, go to the pastor. It that doesn’t work go to the bishop. Just make sure that your points are well established and documented. My prayers and encouragement are with you.
 
I’m slightly ahead of you in the RCIA process, I got Confirmed and took Communion for the first time last weekend.

My home parish is very conservative, I studied in a parish closer to my work, which made it much easier to still participate while working my impossible schedule.

The “work” parish was very liberal, and part of one of the most liberal Archdioceses in the US. So much so that there were a number of things that I really could have raised issues over. Just some of the things were “The Church didn’t exsist in St. Paul’s time,” "There are three types of sin, Mortal, Venal and Social (which would included voting for Bush). This parish also commits a number of “abuses” of the Eucharist, too.

I believe that each RCIA coordinator presents the Cathecism based on the way they view it. It’s not really a right vs. wrong thing as much as it is part of being human.

I strongly recommend reading the telephone book of the Catechism for yourself. Then check out varying websites to see the interchange of views.

The Catholic church is, indeed, “universal” and it has a large number of viewpoints and spiritualities contained under its big tent.

I don’t think this is the same as being a “Cafeteria Catholic”, but if the attraction is there, find a mentor (which should be your sponsor, BTW). If you feel embarrased about what he/she might think of you, post frequently.

Please let me know if there is anything that I can do to help you, too.
 
I’m sorry for your experience, and, unfortunately, the Church in this country needs a lot of renewal. But the answer is people like you. Please stick to what you know is true and don’t let this keep you from coming home. Like a previous post said, you may be the best thing to happen to your parish. Don’t lose the faith because of people who teach it incorrectly. God bless you.
 
Since you seem to understand that there can be those who can misrepresent the teachings of the Catholic church even though they are supposed to initiate newcomers to the church, I think you definitely should stick there. Question statements like “the catechism is out of date” should be challenged! Bring questions here or to a solid spiritual advisor.

And once confirmed, know that there seems to be a need for more orthodox teachers at that parish. Maybe this is exactly where you need to be?

God Bless,
Maria
 
the Church in this country needs a lot of renewal.
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Some components of the Church in this country need more than renewal: they need to be taken out behind the woodshed for a good old fashioned whuppin’.

JDHallKY, follow their advice: Take your Catechism with you and consult from it. You have a poor RCIA teacher. Hang in there!!!
 
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JDHallKY:
Yes, I believe in indulgences. And in everything else the Catechism teaches. My problem is that I’m worried I’m entering an RCIA program that is dominated by a liberal interpretation of everything. I’m going to stick with it and be patient, but I’m just a little down about it today.
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I had a similar experience. I was a Protestant who had come to realize that the Catholic Church was the true Church. I began attanding Mass during my lunch hour. Eventually, the Church I attended at lunch started an RCIA program. I anxiously joined, and was very eager to become a Catholic.

The first day of RCIA (the orientation) class was my last day of RCIA class. During the orientation class the teacher admitted that he was a liberal and that he and the priest did not see eye to eye on many Church matters (why was he teaching the class?). Therefore, I did not go back.

I opened up the phone book and went down the list until I found another Church. I happened to find a priest that gave me instructions one on one. The priest was extremely knowledgeable and very holy (a good combination), and I really learned a lot from him. I was able to complete the Catechism in about 3 months, at which time I was conditionally re-baptized, made my first confession and receive communion. I thank God everyday for bringing me into the Church.

Hang in there. You may have to put up with a lot of non-sense, but, unfortunately, that is the state of the Church in America in 2005.

I have one very important piece of advice. Since you realize that what they are teaching is false, be very wise and do not believe anything they say without checking it out - it will be very easy to be misled by them. It is best if you can find another location to complete your instruction, but if not, be very careful in believing what they teach you.

If you would like to send me a “private mail” I will try to locate a priest in your area that is willing to instruct you one on one.

Good luck.
 
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JD,
Check your e-mail.
Hang in there . You got a bad apple. Spit it out and pick another after you have a talk (at least by phone) with the pastor. If he approves of that class’s teaching then you need to get to a better faithful parish. I thank God that outr RCIA classes were orthodox and wonderful! Like our parish!
One of the ebst resources that anyone can get about the Catholic faith is from Catholic Home Study Service, and it’s FREE. Check it out! amm.org/chss/chss.htm
Pax vobiscum,
 
It happens everywhere. Sometimes laypeople get into positions of power in parishes and they push their little agenda.

You have to stay firm in what is written in the catechism and know that the majority sees it the way you do.
 
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JDHallKY:
I am a lifelong Baptist who is just beginning the inquiry phase of RCIA. For the past couple of years I have read numerous books, watched a lot of EWTN, spent a lot of time on this site, etc. Throughout that time, I have gone from being skeptical or hostile to uniquely Catholic beliefs, to being more open to them, to embracing them as my own. I have been very excited about beginning RCIA and finally coming home to the Catholic Church!

Until last night. Last night I attended my second RCIA meeting and I was told several things which greatly troubled me: “The Catechism is out of date.” “The Church no longer talks about indulgences.” Statements were also made about the Bible that I felt were way too far down the “figurative language” route.

This does not seem to be the Catholic Church of EWTN, Catholic Answers, or (it seems to me) John Paul II. It is going to be difficult persevering in an RCIA program that I feel is trying to make me LESS Catholic than I already am. To make things worth, I live in a small town and this is the only Catholic parish!

Can someone please give me some advice? Encouragement? Anything?
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You seem to know more than the leaders! No the Catechism is not “out of date”. Rome just issued new guidelines on Indulgences a few years ago and also just issued specific new Indulgences for the Year of the Eucharist a few months ago. I would suggest that you take notes ask to meet with the pastor and send information to the diocese if necessary asking for their help.
 
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