Is RCIA too great a barrier of entry into the Church?

[DavidFilmer]

I was RCIA director at my former Parish, so I know a bit about it. I designed my own curriculum based on the Catechism (or, more specifically, Peter Kreeft’s Catholic Christianity). The program was six months long, one hour a week. We would start in late September and wrap up by Easter.

I was once at a gathering of other RCIA directors, and it seems the typical program was a year to eighteen months, with some as long as two years. This seems like a high barrier to become Catholic, especially for someone who has transportation difficulties, time constraints (maybe they work evenings and could not ever attend meetings), or personal difficulties (single parents, etc). This also requires a fairly high commitment from the sponsors.

In the old days, converts received instruction from the Parish priest, and this is still an option - that’s how my wife and I were received. Our instruction was brief (but, then again, I could cite Ott, and, besides, we were coming from a traditional Anglican communion, which is like being Catholic without a Pope). But I think typical instruction was only a few weeks.

Then, in an attempt to be more like the Early Church, we implement this big, time consuming process, one-size-fits-all, and run 99% of our converts through it. What next, public confession?

I’ve given it a lot of thought. There are good arguments on both sides, but I have come to believe that RCIA presents an unnecessarily high barrier of entry into the Church. I don’t see why converts need to know much more than the typical cradle Catholics sitting in the pews in order to begin participating in the Sacramental life of the Church.

 

[snarflemike]

To me, making an adult wait a year or more to enter the Church is borderline criminal.

 

[McGuTim]

Ironically, I have to respectfully disagree with the previous posts. I was in RCIA for over two years because I entered the program late, and there was an administrative error in a necessary annulment.

Was I unhappy about it? You bet I was. Fortunately, I was surrounded by people who helped me see that this was the path God chose for me. For whatever reason, He wanted me to reflect a bit longer, and I am not going to question Him.

For what it is worth, RCIA also led me to create a ministry at our parish to help jobseekers, and it, also, has given me the opportunity to share the devotion of The Stations by leading the classes during Easter – only a year after receiving my sacrements of initiation.

I feel that I was allowed to experience RCIA rather that I had to. It was not a barrier. It was a window into the splendor of pur Church

 

[datritle]

This gift we have, the gift of faith is not something to be rushed into. We need proper instruction, and proper knowledge of our rich and beautiful Faith. To do otherwise would be a disservice. If we don’t properly catechize those coming into the Church, we are making it more difficult for the Body of Christ to function properly.

 

[Daizies]

I actually have a lot of respect for the Church for having a longer conversion process. Too often we can make these decisions lightly, and not have full knowledge of what we are committing to - sort of on an emotional high,with a lot of “what on earth was I thinking” later. Compared to Protestant Christianity in general (with some exceptions), a lot more is expected of Catholics in term of obedience and beliefs. A person really ought to go in with their eyes open.
I also look at the lengthy process as our first exercise in obedience to the Church. If we cannot obey, even in our conversion process, why would we obey in other matters afterwards?

I think part of the problem is that we are so used to everything being instant that we chafe at having to wait. Our culture has lost the sense of importance, and the virtue of patience. And this rubs off on us, even when we have a religious background.

I say this from the perspective of one who went through RCIA, and was also told by our RCIA director that I knew as more about the Church than most Catholics she knew. I looked at it as my obedience to the Church I was entering, no matter how bored I got.

 

[katholikos12]

Too long. The cookie cutter “oh this is how it was done in the past” is just not good enough. People have education beyond that of the ancient Christians and such a long period of wait is not necessary. With the advent of technology and its ability to enhance learning, I think that as soon as a Priest thinks a person is ready to be received into the Church, that person should be received ASAP.

They did that for me. I only went to 5-7 RCIA classes and was admitted. Granted it was right near Easter anyway, but the restrictions should be lessened.

 

[katholikos12]

Although I did weeks of research outside of RCIA before entering RCIA… Weeks and weeks.

 

[Angela77]

Perhaps it would be better to have first some RCIA classes, then be welcomed into the Church formally, and then some more classes after. That way you don’t have to wait AS long, but you still get the necessary education.

 

[JimG]

I was RCIA director at my former Parish, so I know a bit about it. I designed my own curriculum based on the Catechism (or, more specifically, Peter Kreeft’s Catholic Christianity). The program was six months long, one hour a week. We would start in late September and wrap up by Easter.

This sounds about right to me. It seems to me that the longer programs sometimes are too “thin.” Yours sounds pretty comprehensive. I agree that converts need to learn the Faith. But if done correctly, I don’t see why that should take a year.

 

[shaky]

This sounds about right to me. It seems to me that the longer programs sometimes are too “thin.” Yours sounds pretty comprehensive. I agree that converts need to learn the Faith. But if done correctly, I don’t see why that should take a year.

In the New Testament Church you Joined the same day you first heard and believed the basic message and got baptised.Teaching about all the in and outs came after over time.

Why and when did things change ?

 

[jeannetherese]

I was I don’t see why converts need to know much more than the typical cradle Catholics sitting in the pews in order to begin participating in the Sacramental life of the Church.

So many have expressed concern at CAF that many cradle Catholics lack the catechesis that they need. It may be a blessing to parishes that a group of well catechised Catholics, who recognize the Real Presence in the Eucharist are joining our Church.
At my parish, RCIA is much shorter than yours and at that parish of my parents also. At my FSSP parish, the priest handles all instruction for entrance into the church. Sound catechesis will not be an issue in this case.
Considering that, according to our local Catholic newspaper, a significant portion of cradle Catholics do not recognize the Real Presence, might it not be better to encourage additional class time for Cradle Catholics rather than suggesting limiting class time for RCIA members?

 

[CMSUVulcan]

First of all, I had an excellent priest for my RCIA class and it would have been worth paying for because the instruction on the faith was superb. Second, really? 32 classes lasting about 2 hours each for a total of 64 hours of instruction is too much of a barrier to receive the sacraments of the Eucharist, Confirmation and (at least for some) Baptism? Why? Joining the Church is serious business. Yes its a blessing, but its well worth the wait. The faith is so precious that one should want to be properly catechized in it before receiving the sacraments of initiation.

We have too many Catholics as it is that do not know their faith and as such they all too often fall into the snares of sheep stealers and other heretics, agnostics, and atheism, and because they have not been properly catechized they do not know their faith and they do not get as much out of their faith as they could. If I was in charge of doing RCIA I would have roughly a year of instruction before it started and I would have a year of subsequent instruction afterwards. Since RCIA prepares you for the reception of three sacraments – Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist for a Catechumen (non baptized), or Confession, Confirmation, and Eucharist for a candidate (already Baptized) it should be very thorough.

 

[Jn2027]

I highly recommend to anyone who sincerely wants to convert to Catholicism that they go the traditional route. Find a traditional priest or an FSSP parish or equivalent. I went through RCIA several years back, was in it for 15 months. I would not do that to myself again. I think receiving instruction from a priest is the right way for adults to be catechized. Many lay people have good intentions but I do not believe they are able, trained, or called to care for souls in the same way. Traditional ways are traditional because they’ve been time tested and they’re almost always the best. I don’t believe programs that were invented in the 1960s or 70s will prove to have lasting value.

I also want to say that I wish there was another option in the poll that read:
I am Catholic and I think RCIA should be phased out in preference for traditional instruction by a priest.

 

[Usige]

Maybe. It really depends on the person. The biggest issue is the one size fits all approach. The rites make it clear that those who are already baptised should have no greater burden than nescissary placed upon them before being received. Too often both candidates and catechumen are lumped together into a 6 - 9 month class. This approach does not take into account the various levels of catechisis that candidates might already have received. Having a person that had been a practicing Anglican go through 9 months is rediculous.

The best approach I have seen follows something like this:

• Candidate is interview to determine their understanding of Christianity, grace and salvation, sin, the sacraments, Catholic Dogmas and doctrine, etc.
• Based on their ‘score’ in each area they are sorted into no catechisis, basic Christianity, etc.
• Candidates attend classes to “fill in the gaps.” Each major section of teaching is a 4 to 6 week module.
• Multiple modules taught concurrently based on needs.
• ‘Check points’ to see where each candidate is in their conversion and learning.
• Once every 6 to 8 weeks candidates have the opportunity to be received.

In esscence this is setup to allow persons that are we all founded in the Bible and Christianity to only attend classes to explain specific Catholic teachings, but leaves open the possibility that others might need more instruction. In this way people aren’t delayed or rushed to be received. Since their is always another chance to be received a couple months out it gives those that are sitting on the fence a little extra time to discern without thinking “if I don’t do it now I’ll have to wait another year.”

The biggest disadvantage is that there has to be a group that is dedicated enough to do it year round and also flexible enough to be able to tailor the lessons to individuals not a class.

 

[Usige]

I highly recommend to anyone who sincerely wants to convert to Catholicism that they go the traditional route. Find a traditional priest or an FSSP parish or equivalent. I went through RCIA several years back, was in it for 15 months. I would not do that to myself again. I think receiving instruction from a priest is the right way for adults to be catechized. Many lay people have good intentions but I do not believe they are able, trained, or called to care for souls in the same way. Traditional ways are traditional because they’ve been time tested and they’re almost always the best. I don’t believe programs that were invented in the 1960s or 70s will prove to have lasting value.

I also want to say that I wish there was another option in the poll that read:
I am Catholic and I think RCIA should be phased out in preference for traditional instruction by a priest.

I would tend to agree. The biggest issue would be if they had the time. I know the year my wife was received that their were ±90 converts and another 15 catechumen just in her parish. It would be tough for a single priest to do individualized catechisis for that large a group.

 

[jeannetherese]

I also want to say that I wish there was another option in the poll that read:
I am Catholic and I think RCIA should be phased out in preference for traditional instruction by a priest.

 

[Kal2012]

In a lot of Protestant churches, membership classes are really just fluff. 3 meetings at the most. The classes I took (at different churches) were packed and nobody knew me. I was just a name on a list. I would end up leaving a church due to a move and have to go through the process church shopping and another “membership” class. It was a little ridiculous to go over the basics of Christianity again and again. (I’ve been a Christian since I was a kid, so it’s not like I was starting from a point of not knowing Jesus or some of its concepts!)

By the time I got to RCIA, I was fed up and didn’t want to go through another membership class yet again, but I also knew this time would be my last (and final) time. I really like its format because you have time to back out and digest the information you are given. It’s not just “go to a couple classes and you are a member of the church”. Even though I’ve been around Catholicism for years and the concepts weren’t unknown, RCIA wasn’t a waste of my time. I ended up learning a lot and felt prepared to be Catholic at Easter Vigil.

I like Usige’s ideas for improving the process. I wasn’t at the same place as some of the members of my RCIA class and would have preferred to “skip over” some of the topics we covered. However, by realizing that I had accepted some of the concepts that others were struggling with helped me to see where Catholic thought was already integrated into my belief system. (Does that make sense?)

Like others said, as an adult waiting a year seemed kind of ridiculous. However, overall, I think that Catholics are more correct in the way that we admit new members than the way it’s done in other communities. It is a huge decision and it shouldn’t be taken lightly. I’m glad that it isn’t “too easy” to be a Catholic. I’ve seen and experienced “too easy” and membership is pretty meaningless.

 

[cwltexas]

I converted at age 17, 1973, rural Parish, it was a mission Parish, Priests from Ireland, the “head” Priest taught the Adult Conversion Class, I think that is what it was called, it lasted 6 months, met once a week for an hour, Father “encouraged” us to attend Mass regularly of course, we had to write one or two papers, if I remember correctly. I didn’t consider this process excessive or arduous in the least. We had baptism, first Confession, first Communion all on the same day.

 

[quiet52]

Thank you for your positive post, Kal. It sounds to me you had a wonderful attitude about your journey into the Catholic Church. I hope you’re still thoroughly enjoying being a Catholic!

… It’s not just “go to a couple classes and you are a member of the church”. Even though I’ve been around Catholicism for years and the concepts weren’t unknown, RCIA wasn’t a waste of my time. I ended up learning a lot and felt prepared to be Catholic at Easter Vigil.

Unfortunately, in my experience with previously-baptized non-Catholics, and with Catholics who hadn’t yet received Reconciliation, First Eucharist or Confirmation, this is the expectation a good portion of them have about their preparation for the sacraments. They’ve been told by various people they don’t “need” the same preparation as the unbaptized, and they seem to feel entitled to an abbreviated process. I did “adjust” the requirements for some, but I have found that most do not know what they do not know (or misunderstand) about the teachings of the Church. I’ve seen some unbaptized candidates know far more about the Bible and the faith than the baptized know.

Even after listing the minimally required sessions, I’ve received resentment and reluctance. Most changed their tune, however, as they embraced the process. Also, the participants in the gruop who know less appreciate hearing from those who have more experience and knowledge. It is simply unrealistic to expect any process to be perfectly “tailor made” for each participant. It is also unrealistic to expect that in any given parish, a clergy member is available to prepare each person privately – that rarely happens.

Here is one story about one woman’s sense of “entitlement”: Married to a Catholic, she was raised in one of the mainstream Protestant faith expressions and expected to become Catholic within a few weeks. To say that she was grouchy about having to wait until Easter, or even having to attend RCIA at all, is an understatement, and I could tell she had some misunderstandings. I eventually learned she did not accept several of the Church’s teachings, such as the communion of saints, and she was stubborn and non-curious. She insisted that many Catholics didn’t accept everything. After one session, she was fuming angry toward me, not because of anything I did against her, but because she didn’t like what I was teaching. Late that evening she e-mailed me that she was too tired at the end of her workday and wanted to attend a Sunday program. I found one at a nearby parish and arranged it for her, with the permission of the pastor. She attended a few times, and then I received another email from her, informing me she had decided to convert to Buddhism, because it was easier than Catholicism.

Of course, the parishioners she and her husband complained to about RCIA, and about me, have no idea about what was really going on, and they never will no matter what their assumptions are – this is one of the unacknowledged crosses we leaders bear. This woman’s husband has since come to me to apologize, and to share his sadness that his wife has rejected Christ. He is growing in his own faith journey.

It is impossible for the RCIA leaders to know exactly what each participant needs (vs. what they want or demand). Although we do our best to adjust the requirements for each person in the group based on their prior formation in faith, which some people are quite vague about, it is better for us to err on the side of caution rather than to cave in to each participant’s whims.

I like Usige’s ideas for improving the process. I wasn’t at the same place as some of the members of my RCIA class and would have preferred to “skip over” some of the topics we covered. However, by realizing that I had accepted some of the concepts that others were struggling with helped me to see where Catholic thought was already integrated into my belief system. (Does that make sense?)

It makes a lot of sense.
Always be grateful for the faith you were brought up with!
You probably helped to reinforce the teachings for the other RCIA members.

Like others said, as an adult waiting a year seemed kind of ridiculous. However, overall, I think that Catholics are more correct in the way that we admit new members than the way it’s done in other communities. It is a huge decision and it shouldn’t be taken lightly. I’m glad that it isn’t “too easy” to be a Catholic. I’ve seen and experienced “too easy” and membership is pretty meaningless

Have you considered being on the RCIA team?

 

[PJM]

=DavidFilmer;10664474]I was RCIA director at my former Parish, so I know a bit about it. I designed my own curriculum based on the Catechism (or, more specifically, Peter Kreeft’s Catholic Christianity). The program was six months long, one hour a week. We would start in late September and wrap up by Easter.

I was once at a gathering of other RCIA directors, and it seems the typical program was a year to eighteen months, with some as long as two years. This seems like a high barrier to become Catholic, especially for someone who has transportation difficulties, time constraints (maybe they work evenings and could not ever attend meetings), or personal difficulties (single parents, etc). This also requires a fairly high commitment from the sponsors.

In the old days, converts received instruction from the Parish priest, and this is still an option - that’s how my wife and I were received. Our instruction was brief (but, then again, I could cite Ott, and, besides, we were coming from a traditional Anglican communion, which is like being Catholic without a Pope). But I think typical instruction was only a few weeks.

Then, in an attempt to be more like the Early Church, we implement this big, time consuming process, one-size-fits-all, and run 99% of our converts through it. What next, public confession?

I’ve given it a lot of thought. There are good arguments on both sides, but I have come to believe that RCIA presents an unnecessarily high barrier of entry into the Church. I don’t see why converts need to know much more than the typical cradle Catholics sitting in the pews in order to begin participating in the Sacramental life of the Church.

My dear friend David,

I’m a trained; tested, experienced [20+ years], and certified Marian Catechist who studied for many years in order to get certified and teach. I taught RCIA for 3 years too.

Now retired and working from home I have developed a SUPPLEMENTAL to RCIA couse called: BUILDING BLOCKS OF OUR CATHOLIC FAITH, which I mail out FREE of all cost, of course…

WHY?

Because many [perhaps even most] RCIA Curriculums simply lack the time to really TEACH in depth, not only what we Catholics DO believe, but also PROVE and Provide the evidence that verifies it.

Our Catholic Faith is TWO THOUSAND years old It has numerious Doctrines and Dogma’s and much Sacred Tradition. In these HIGHLY secular times in which we live one MUST be well-informed to survive the Secular Humanisn; MESISM, New Age; Biased media and peer-pressure. One SIMPLY cannot know “too much.” And as Father John Hardon often told us: “you can’t share what you yourself don’t have.” [AMEN!]

With thousands of differing and competing “christian” faiths; one simply cannot hide form the uniformed; misinformed and aggressive non-Catholic-christian and Fundalmentalist competition.

One MUST know WELL our Faith to:
Live it

Share it when God presents the opportunity

& Defend it when necessary.

So your alternative to RCIA is?

My advice David is to thing SUPPLEMENTAL.

Take Up your Cross and Follow Me
Phil.2: 8 “And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross Luke.9 :23 And he said to all, "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. Mark.8: 34 And he called to him the multitude with his disciples, and said to them, "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. Luke.9: 23 And he said to all, "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. Luke.14: 7 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me, cannot be my disciple.”

1Pet.4: 13 ” But rejoice in so far as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.

1Pet.5: 1, 9 “So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ as well as a partaker in the glory that is to be revealed. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experience of suffering is required of your brotherhood throughout the world.”

Phil.1: 29 “For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, “

2Thes.1: 5 “***This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be made worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering ***“

It Ain’t easy because it Ain’t supposed to be easy. Amen:shrug:

Pat/PJM