In RCIA...

[suissemissed]

I was baptized in a non-denominational church when I was 7. I’m now twenty, and currently in the RCIA process after realizing that the Catholic Church is the one church founded by Christ. I know that since I’ve been baptized, the only way to remove the mortal sin on my soul is through Confession. Accordingly, I went to talk to my parish priest about it. However, he said I should wait a while until I’ve been instructed more in the RCIA classes (which would probably be later this year or early next year).

But my conscience is still bothering me, and I want my relationship with God to be restored as soon as possible. I’ve vigorously studied Catholicism for the last 8 months now, and I know the theology behind Confession, and I think whatever my RCIA class will teach on the subject will be superfluous to what I’ve learned myself already (not trying to be arrogant - I’m pretty sure that’s just how it is, though).

It should be noted, too, that my parish priest (along with my RCIA team) regularly send catechumens to confession before they are baptized (I know because I saw it this past Easter - I wasn’t confirmed myself because I had joined RCIA too late in the previous year). So I’m not sure how much I trust their judgment in telling me to wait…

Should I just go?

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

Something that always confuses me with messages like this one is this:

You talked to someone you know in real life. He is your priest, he knows you, and he knows your situation. You don’t like his answer.

Now you come to a site on the Internet and ask your question of a bunch of strangers. Why do you think the advice of strangers is better than the advice of your priest?

 

[Jea9]

I was baptized in a non-denominational church when I was 7. I’m now twenty, and currently in the RCIA process after realizing that the Catholic Church is the one church founded by Christ. I know that since I’ve been baptized, the only way to remove the mortal sin on my soul is through Confession. Accordingly, I went to talk to my parish priest about it. However, he said I should wait a while until I’ve been instructed more in the RCIA classes (which would probably be later this year or early next year).

But my conscience is still bothering me, and I want my relationship with God to be restored as soon as possible. I’ve vigorously studied Catholicism for the last 8 months now, and I know the theology behind Confession, and I think whatever my RCIA class will teach on the subject will be superfluous to what I’ve learned myself already (not trying to be arrogant - I’m pretty sure that’s just how it is, though).

It should be noted, too, that my parish priest (along with my RCIA team) regularly send catechumens to confession before they are baptized (I know because I saw it this past Easter - I wasn’t confirmed myself because I had joined RCIA too late in the previous year). So I’m not sure how much I trust their judgment in telling me to wait…

Should I just go?

First, because God knows what is in our hearts He knows that you have the desire to confess your sins, if something were to happen you can trust in His mercy. Second, your parish priest is the one who is in charge. If he says to wait, you must wait. That being said, have you met with him privately (by appointment not in the midst of or just finishing other activities) and discussed where your knowledge is? You may be ready to be welcomed and confirmed before next Easter, but that is a PASTORAL decision, that should be made by your pastor.

You should not go to Reconciliation if your priest has instructed you not to. The number one reason being that you have not made your profession of Faith and been welcomed into the Church. The number one-A reason being that it helps us to grow in humility when we are obedient.

 

[tinalewis]

It should be noted, too, that my parish priest (along with my RCIA team) regularly send catechumens to confession before they are baptized (I know because I saw it this past Easter - I wasn’t confirmed myself because I had joined RCIA too late in the previous year). So I’m not sure how much I trust their judgment in telling me to wait…

Should I just go?

I’m a little worried about a priest who hears catechumens’ confessions prior to their baptisms. What was he trying to do?

 

[bmadamsberry]

The reason the priest probably told you to wait was that he doesn’t know your level of knowledge in regards to confession, and so wanted you to know more about it before you did it (if he does know how much you know, then I’m not sure why he told you to wait. Although it’s possible that it might be because the RCIA group conesses together in a symbolic gesture).
The fact that people are going to Confession before being baptized should be questioned. It might not be the priest’s doing, and he might not even know about it.
If you haven’t met with the priest privately, then I would suggest doing so and letting him know that you know what’s going on in the Confessional. If you have met with him privately (I’m not sure if you have because it was a little ambiguous in your post), then I agree to just be obediant to the priest.

 

[suissemissed]

I have met with him privately (to discuss how long I should be in RCIA), and we talked for about an hour. So he knows about me somewhat, though I couldn’t convey to him just how much I know about the Church in the brief half-hour we talked. A month after that, I called him and asked him about confession over the phone. That’s when he told me to wait.

Yes, he knows about catechumens going to private confession (not a symbolic group confession) before baptism… he specifically mentioned it, and for some reason doesn’t see that it’s not only wrong, but sacrilegious… (like trying to baptize someone twice). Giving a sacrament invalidly is not a good thing. Hence why I’m not sure if I should trust his (and my RCIA team’s) judgment regarding this… It’s not that I don’t “like” his answer. I know I’m alright by waiting, provided that’s what God wants me to do. But that’s just it… I don’t know if I should wait or not. If God doesn’t want me to wait, then I don’t want to wait either. If He’s okay with it, then that’s okay with me.

Here’s a page on CAF that I was reading - scroll down to the part about “peace with God”: catholic.com/library/How_to_Become_a_Catholic.asp

Also, here - scroll down to Q3: catholic.com/thisrock/1998/9810qq.asp

This line in particular sort of describes me: “…if a particular candidate for reception is being tortured in conscience by something he has done or otherwise finds it difficult to go without confession until he is received, he should be given the opportunity to go to confession earlier.”

 

[Jea9]

I have met with him privately (to discuss how long I should be in RCIA), and we talked for about an hour. So he knows about me somewhat, though I couldn’t convey to him just how much I know about the Church in the brief half-hour we talked. A month after that, I called him and asked him about confession over the phone. That’s when he told me to wait.

Yes, he knows about catechumens going to private confession (not a symbolic group confession) before baptism… he specifically mentioned it, and for some reason doesn’t see that it’s not only wrong, but sacrilegious… (like trying to baptize someone twice). Giving a sacrament invalidly is not a good thing. Hence why I’m not sure if I should trust his (and my RCIA team’s) judgment regarding this… It’s not that I don’t “like” his answer. I know I’m alright by waiting, provided that’s what God wants me to do. But that’s just it… I don’t know if I should wait or not. If God doesn’t want me to wait, then I don’t want to wait either. If He’s okay with it, then that’s okay with me.

Here’s a page on CAF that I was reading - scroll down to the part about “peace with God”: catholic.com/library/How_to_Become_a_Catholic.asp

Also, here - scroll down to Q3: catholic.com/thisrock/1998/9810qq.asp

This line in particular sort of describes me: “…if a particular candidate for reception is being tortured in conscience by something he has done or otherwise finds it difficult to go without confession until he is received, he should be given the opportunity to go to confession earlier.”

Maybe a letter to the priest explaining why it’s not appropriate to have non-Baptized people go to confession would be a good idea. He may be incorrect.

It does not sound like you’ve given the priest all the information that you’ve given us. HE is the one to make this pastoral decision, you ought to make another appointment to speak with him and start with “Father, I realize I may not have given you all the information before, but I want you to know what I understand about The Sacrament of Reconciliation…”.

Where would you go? To another Parish? If that is the case then you might as well ask another priest about receiving you if you are not comfortable with this one. If you are planning on going to Confession with this priest who has already told you to wait, you are running the risk of committing the sin of scandal. People may see you waiting in line and know that you have not been received, thus giving other people still in RCIA who don’t have your knowledge, the idea that it must be OK. If you plan on making a face-to-face confession with your pastor, then he’ll probably deny it when you get there. So, your best option is still to discuss this further with your pastor.

 

[baltobetsy]

The RCIA process is more than an intellectual exercise. In addition to learning about the Catholic faith, there is a process of conversion that occurs. Many people begin the process thinking they are already well-informed about the faith, which they are, and ready to become Catholic right away.

However, there is more to it. The Holy Spirit, in a mysterious way, works in the souls of the catechumens and candidates to prepare them even more thoroughly for entrance into the Church. Head knowledge is taken to a whole new level with conversion of heart. This conversion takes time and is not dependent upon the quality of the RCIA experience.

The Church, the bishops and your pastor have determined that this process is what God desires for new Catholics, including you specifically. You need not fear that your case is the special one if your priest has spoken with you and determined that you should wait. He acts under the influence of the Holy Spirit, with the graces given to him as your pastor, called Grace of State.

Welcome home. Be at peace.

Betsy

 

[Erich]

I’m a little worried about a priest who hears catechumens’ confessions prior to their baptisms. What was he trying to do?

If someone will be baptized at the Easter Vigil (prior to being confirmed of course), that will wash away their Original Sin and any sins they committed between being born and being baptized… so, yes, it’s kinda pointless to hear a catechumen’s confession the morning of the Easter Vigil.

My guess is because most RCIA classes have both candidates and catechumens, and almost everything has been done together as a group. The class has been together since at least the previous August or September, and by the time of the Easter Vigil there will have been many shared experiences. If the catechists tell the catechumens, “you don’t have to make your first confession the same time the candidates do,” my guess is that there will be that many more folks (who did not come from a tradition of making a good confession) who will find it much easier to continue that habit. This way, everyone will have “gone over the hump” of making their first confession, and each subsequent one will be that much easier.

 

[ErichK]

I was baptized in a non-denominational church when I was 7. I’m now twenty, and currently in the RCIA process after realizing that the Catholic Church is the one church founded by Christ. I know that since I’ve been baptized, the only way to remove the mortal sin on my soul is through Confession. Accordingly, I went to talk to my parish priest about it. However, he said I should wait a while until I’ve been instructed more in the RCIA classes (which would probably be later this year or early next year).

But my conscience is still bothering me, and I want my relationship with God to be restored as soon as possible. I’ve vigorously studied Catholicism for the last 8 months now, and I know the theology behind Confession, and I think whatever my RCIA class will teach on the subject will be superfluous to what I’ve learned myself already (not trying to be arrogant - I’m pretty sure that’s just how it is, though).

It should be noted, too, that my parish priest (along with my RCIA team) regularly send catechumens to confession before they are baptized (I know because I saw it this past Easter - I wasn’t confirmed myself because I had joined RCIA too late in the previous year). So I’m not sure how much I trust their judgment in telling me to wait…

Should I just go?

My friend, I know your pain, but the only advice I can give you is to listen to your priest and be patient. I know exactly how you feel. The one thing I’ve longed for greater than anything in my life is to be able to take communion. You will find throughout the course of your conversion that you will do some soul-searching in between, REGARDLESS of how determined and convinced you are of the Catholic faith being the true faith. It has taken me almost 3 years, and I’m finally on track to nearly being baptized, despite three long years of waiting and of impatience.

Perseverance works wonders, and I highly suggest you don’t rush it at all.

 

[John_Lilburne]

The following may be helpful in understanding the position of the Catholic Church and in what circumstances a baptized/non-Catholic can participate in the Sacrament of Penance.

From the 1993 Directory on the Principles and Norms on Ecumenism at vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/chrstuni/general-docs/rc_pc_chrstuni_doc_19930325_directory_en.html
b) Sharing Sacramental Life with Christians of Other Churches and Ecclesial Communities
129. … It is in the light of these two basic principles, which must always be taken into account together, that in general the Catholic Church permits access to its Eucharistic communion and to the sacraments of penance and anointing of the sick, only to those who share its oneness in faith, worship and ecclesial life.133 For the same reasons, it also recognizes that in certain circumstances, by way of exception, and under certain conditions, access to these sacraments may be permitted, or even commended, for Christians of other Churches and ecclesial Communities. …
131. The conditions under which a Catholic minister may administer the sacraments of the Eucharist, of penance and of the anointing of the sick to a baptized person who may be found in the circumstances given above (n. 130) are that the person be unable to have recourse for the sacrament desired to a minister of his or her own Church or ecclesial Community, ask for the sacrament of his or her own initiative, manifest Catholic faith in this sacrament and be properly disposed."

Of course the Sacrament of Baptism is required before the Sacrament of Penance. But note that the book on the Rite of Penance also describes Penitential Services, which are not sacraments. “36. … The structure of these services is the same as that usually followed in celebrations of the word of God and given in the Rite for Reconciliation of Several Penitents.” (The Rites Volume One, Liturgical Press, 1990, ISBN: 0-8146-6015-0, page 541). Part of the purpose of these ceremonies is “to help catechumens during their conversion.” (n. 37). Also there could be counselling from a priest, without it being a sacrament.