How should i identify myself?

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BVMFatima

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I just found out that I may need to be rebaptized because I was baptized in a Non Denominational Church, and my Church has a list of which denominations baptisms are valid and since non denominational is not on the list, I may need to be rebaptized even though I was baptized in trinitarian formula, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. My Baptism certificate even says it, but since my parish has doubt about this old Protestant Church of mine, I may need to be rebaptized. Now I am in CCD which is catechism class to come into the Church ( its RCIA for teens at my parish ) and I was wondering, what religion shall I identify myself? Am I now a catechuman at this point, am I still protestant even though I am not protesting against the Catholic Church anymore? This is a question that is really eating away at me, and I just don’t know what religion I shall classify myself as. Thanks for your answers, and may God bless you all!
 
If you have embraced the Catholic faith you are Catholic. Thanks be to God for your conversion! God bless you.
 
First of all, just to clear up any confusion, you won’t be rebaptized. You will be conditionally baptized - the priest will say something like, “If you are not already baptized, I baptize you…” If you are confident that your baptism is valid, don’t let the conditional baptism bother you - it’s just a precautionary measure like an insurance policy or something.

If someone asks you what you are, say you’re a Christian entering the Catholic Church.

Welcome Home!
 
BVMFatima said:
I just found out that I may need to be rebaptized because I was baptized in a Non Denominational Church, and my Church has a list of which denominations baptisms are valid and since non denominational is not on the list, I may need to be rebaptized even though I was baptized in trinitarian formula, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. My Baptism certificate even says it, but since my parish has doubt about this old Protestant Church of mine, I may need to be rebaptized. Now I am in CCD which is catechism class to come into the Church ( its RCIA for teens at my parish ) and I was wondering, what religion shall I identify myself? Am I now a catechuman at this point, am I still protestant even though I am not protesting against the Catholic Church anymore? This is a question that is really eating away at me, and I just don’t know what religion I shall classify myself as. Thanks for your answers, and may God bless you all!
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If your are validly baptized then you are Christian not a catechumen. So if the Church is **certain **of your valid baptism then you are not a catechumen. Modern Catholic Dictionary has:

CATECHUMEN. A learner, a person being instructed preparatory to receiving baptism and being admitted into the Church. The length of the catechumenate varies: in parts of Africa it may require a minimum of four years before the candidate is ready for baptism. (Etym. Greek katekhouminos, one instructed.)

CONDITIONAL BAPTISM. The rite of baptism performed on a person who is entering the Roman Catholic Church and is not certain about previous baptism. This is not rebaptism, which is impossible, since this sacrament can be received only once. But if there is reasonable doubt about the fact or validity of one’s previous baptism, the sacrament is administered conditionally, i.e., the one who performs the ritual at least mentally says, “If you are not baptized,” and then proceeds to confer the sacrament.

therealpresence.org/cgi-bin/getdefinition.pl
 
I’m so happy for you, my fellow Christian and Catholic to-be.

May God bless you!🙂
 
You can say that you are in the process of entering the Catholic church. That is how I identified myself during RCIA. Even though you may be a Christian in case your baptism is valid, you could still stress the process as the point of identification at this moment. Of course, if someone is interested in your conversion story then by all means discuss this in more detail with them and explain what your situation is. I’m sorry that this inbetween period is difficult for you, but it will pass so quickly. BTW, what does the RCIA team suggest about the way you identify yourself? Maybe you should just go with that.
 
BVMFatima said:
I just found out that I may need to be rebaptized because I was baptized in a Non Denominational Church, and my Church has a list of which denominations baptisms are valid and since non denominational is not on the list, I may need to be rebaptized even though I was baptized in trinitarian formula, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. My Baptism certificate even says it, but since my parish has doubt about this old Protestant Church of mine, I may need to be rebaptized. Now I am in CCD which is catechism class to come into the Church ( its RCIA for teens at my parish ) and I was wondering, what religion shall I identify myself? Am I now a catechuman at this point, am I still protestant even though I am not protesting against the Catholic Church anymore? This is a question that is really eating away at me, and I just don’t know what religion I shall classify myself as. Thanks for your answers, and may God bless you all!
Click to expand...
You are Catholic by desire and once you receive your baptism you will be " full blooded " Catholic. Don’t worry about your Protestant baptism, God knows what you want and intend. He will take you in even if you die tonight - so rest easy. Not exactlly about the Catechumate thing, I never went through that. It isn’t of any improt except historically. Basically it means " Catholic in training " if that makes sense to you.

So just relax, nothing to worry about. God is right with you. 👍👍
 
I talked to one priest and he told me that i should identify myself a Catholic just not in full.communion, he says this because I cannot identify myself any other religion, i just wanted other opinions that’s all
 
Just keep cool is my advice. Enjoy your life in the faith 🙂 and don’t worry too much. Let it grow. When you go to confirmation, the Dian or Bishop won’t ask you how much you know, but how much you believe.
 
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