Is RCIA necessary to becoming a Catholic?

[Manny_Filtos]

If someone is a lifelong Christian, baptized and confirmed as a non-Catholic, then self-studied Catholicism, began practicing for years as a Catholic (Mass, Communion, confession, etc.), but never received formal RCIA training, are they considered a Catholic after meeting with a priest? The Becoming A Catholic section suggests complete, formal RCIA training is not always necessary, as long as, an individual is in full understanding of the faith and spirit of Communion and Catholic faith traditions.

 

[Michelle_Arnold]

If this hypothetical individual was confirmed as a non-Catholic, then, depending on the church that conferred confirmation, that confirmation may not be valid and may need to be redone. As for confession and Communion, they are only distributed to non-Catholics under certain extraordinary circumstances. Such an individual as you mention would have to be catechized and received into the Church before he could receive them on a regular basis.

RCIA is primarily intended to catechize and sacramentally initiate unbaptized non-Christians. It is not strictly necessary for non-Catholic Christians. I would caution your hypothetical individual though that a person seeking to enter the Church ordinarily should seek to enter the Church on its terms and not on his own. Practically speaking, this would mean approaching a local Catholic pastor, outlining one’s personal religious education, and asking what is necessary to do to be received into the Church.