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

[RedSparklyShoes]

Having just been through it, I do honestly wish there had been a different path for people like me who were raised in a liturgical church and had been discerning for 2 or 3 years on my own about whether I really wanted to enter the Catholic Church versus another person who was received with me who knew nothing about the church other than her son wanted to be baptised, so maybe she should be to. It started in early September and goes to near the end of May.

Not that I didn’t come to enjoy most of the sessions. They were all interesting (there are still 3 more). The leader, however, although I know she has a heart for the Lord, her public speaking skills leave a little to be desired as she isn’t very engaging in her talks.

It is better than in some churches where you say “I think I’d like to be baptised” and suddenly you are and no support is given to you about how to learn to be a Christian.

 

[GreyRabbit]

I thought it interesting how we were talking about this, and this shows up on the main page:

I wasn’t fed as a Catholic

It’s a good read that won’t take you more than a couple of minutes.

 

[GraftedIn]

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

I agree. Matthew 23:13 "“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to.”

 

[cheezey]

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

I agree. Matthew 23:13 "“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to.”

agreed again…

 

[pmoo]

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

I actually agreed with you until I went through RCIA. It is crucial that those wishing to become Catholic truly understand the church’s teachings. I was raised as a Protestant, so learning about and coming to understand transubstantiation, confession, the Eucharist and its importance are just a few things that are essential to understand.

How can one get up in front of the entire church and promise to be Catholic if there isn’t a good understanding of what that means?

 

[cheezey]

I actually agreed with you until I went through RCIA. It is crucial that those wishing to become Catholic truly understand the church’s teachings. I was raised as a Protestant, so learning about and coming to understand transubstantiation, confession, the Eucharist and its importance are just a few things that are essential to understand.

How can one get up in front of the entire church and promise to be Catholic if there isn’t a good understanding of what that means?

Yes, it is crucial to understand the teachings. Does one usually enter knowing nothing, however? There must have been some knowledge prior, else, why would there be the desire and need to enter? I would think most enter because of their understanding of the Catholic faith, though, of course, formal training is needed to further the education. It would be chaotic to educate commensurate to each student’s knowledge, so I understand the uniformity of the education.
And when one has made the decision, it just seems like long time…

 

[kingal86]

Just checked out the link…I don’t think I’m being unfair to say that it offers a lot of potential!! Definately a bit sketchy at the minute. At least I now know where it is. Looks huge though…incredibly daunting compared to my little village church! It also mentioned abot the the follow on sessions by Fr. Robert Barron series that you told the previous poster about. With regard the loss of so many Catholic Churches over here…the few I know of are hidden and can only be entered under the cover of darkness…

All the pre-Henry VIII Anglican churches and cathedrals were originally Catholic of course - from a Catholic perspective I suppose they could be said to have been nationalised or stolen during the Reformation.

 

[pmoo]

Yes, it is crucial to understand the teachings. Does one usually enter knowing nothing, however? There must have been some knowledge prior, else, why would there be the desire and need to enter? I would think most enter because of their understanding of the Catholic faith, though, of course, formal training is needed to further the education. It would be chaotic to educate commensurate to each student’s knowledge, so I understand the uniformity of the education.
And when one has made the decision, it just seems like long time…

I agree it did seem to last a very long time. However, not everyone enters with some knowledge. I compare it to the French classes I teach - some come already with a good background and others come knowing nothing.

Perhaps the answer would be a 'fast-track" for those who already know God, understand the trinity, adore Jesus, etc. I’ll admit I’m not sure it takes a year to get it, but I did learn quite a bit and formed some really strong friendships in the church along the way!

Having said that, I really enjoyed learning more about the faith and am actually planning on going from time to time this next year - not a refresher so much as an enrichment.

 

[cheezey]

and I just had my 8th and final class til September… I will be old and ornery by the time I am done…

 

[yogosans14]

I think its great but I wish I didnt have to wait to fall to start it

 

[fred_conty]

I think its great but I wish I didnt have to wait to fall to start it

I agree, they should have it twice a year.

Or parishes could cooperate with each other, and have them start at various times in the year.

 

[cheezey]

I agree, they should have it twice a year.

Or parishes could cooperate with each other, and have them start at various times in the year.

now that’s a good idea…

 

[Classicist]

I was raised by an atheist and an agnostic. Only two churches had been darkened by my shadow by the time I decided to become a Christian and a Catholic (and those were strictly for historical interest). I was absolutely outside all notions of faith, worship, and theology. That is the background to my post…

RCIA was hardly a barrier at all, because of how limited it is. It was absolutely not enough for me. I needed more than a single liturgical year of experience before I could say I was comfortable or knowledgeable about the Roman Catholic faith. One must live it with a spiritual guide before making the decision.

A dear friend of mine, seeing the agony of doubt I went through only a year after being baptized, wishes that the Church had re-instituted the three-year catechumenate of the ancient Fathers. I was baptized in 2011, and my patristic three-year period is just ending this Saturday. It was a huge journey, and it has taken just three years to truly get into the mindset.

If RCIA is a barrier of entry, people aren’t trying hard enough, or don’t care enough.

 

[cheezey]

If RCIA is a barrier of entry, people aren’t trying hard enough, or don’t care enough.

what people?
Some parishes simply are not staffed well, or they may a tad disorganized. Those are just two reasons for many parishes. Yours is too sweeping a statement. Yes, it may take a few inquiries with various manners, yes, be tenacious. And yes, sometimes, it is the parish people, not the inquiring people.

 

[Usige]

I was raised by an atheist and an agnostic. Only two churches had been darkened by my shadow by the time I decided to become a Christian and a Catholic (and those were strictly for historical interest). I was absolutely outside all notions of faith, worship, and theology. That is the background to my post…

RCIA was hardly a barrier at all, because of how limited it is. It was absolutely not enough for me. I needed more than a single liturgical year of experience before I could say I was comfortable or knowledgeable about the Roman Catholic faith. One must live it with a spiritual guide before making the decision.

A dear friend of mine, seeing the agony of doubt I went through only a year after being baptized, wishes that the Church had re-instituted the three-year catechumenate of the ancient Fathers. I was baptized in 2011, and my patristic three-year period is just ending this Saturday. It was a huge journey, and it has taken just three years to truly get into the mindset.

If RCIA is a barrier of entry, people aren’t trying hard enough, or don’t care enough.

I don’t doubt that many people need many years before they are received. But just because some need 2 or 3 years does not mean everyone should be held to the same standard. Christ calls each of us in our own time, should someone who is baptized and well catechised be held back for 3 years simply because others need that much time. The real issue is everyone is lumped in to the same timeframe regardless if they need weeks, months or years. Human practicallities can end up subborning the call God has made to that person.

The difference between those that need weeks rather than years is that someone that needs years does not have to be received the year they start. They can always say I’m not ready. For those that are ready now they rarely have the option but to wait and wait and wait. Not because of God, but because it doesn’t match a day on the calendar.

 

[cheezey]

I don’t doubt that many people need many years before they are received. But just because some need 2 or 3 years does not mean everyone should be held to the same standard. Christ calls each of us in our own time, should someone who is baptized and well catechised be held back for 3 years simply because others need that much time. The real issue is everyone is lumped in to the same timeframe regardless if they need weeks, months or years. Human practicallities can end up subborning the call God has made to that person.

The difference between those that need weeks rather than years is that someone that needs years does not have to be received the year they start. They can always say I’m not ready. For those that are ready now they rarely have the option but to wait and wait and wait. Not because of God, but because it doesn’t match a day on the calendar.

:sad_yes:

 

[Sheadad]

I don’t doubt that many people need many years before they are received. But just because some need 2 or 3 years does not mean everyone should be held to the same standard. Christ calls each of us in our own time, should someone who is baptized and well catechised be held back for 3 years simply because others need that much time. The real issue is everyone is lumped in to the same timeframe regardless if they need weeks, months or years. Human practicallities can end up subborning the call God has made to that person.

The difference between those that need weeks rather than years is that someone that needs years does not have to be received the year they start. They can always say I’m not ready. For those that are ready now they rarely have the option but to wait and wait and wait. Not because of God, but because it doesn’t match a day on the calendar.

It might be helpful to look at it in a different way. The fundamental universal call that Christ left us with is the call to evangelize. That call is one we are reminded of every time we leave the Mass, which means (to be sent). So we are sent out into the world to make disciples of all nations. RCIA can be a great place for us to begin to understand this journey through our encouragement of one another.

In other words, if one believes they are truly “ready” to receive the sacraments but is not willing to sit down in the parish center for a few weeks to help those who are not, they are really not ready to carry out the mission of evangelization. RCIA should be looked at as both theological formation and as a means to effect change in our lives. Both of these are imperative and are truly a union between our efforts and the work of the Holy Spirit.

I’ll agree with some of the other posters, that the USSCB might consider an important overhaul of the program so that it becomes more tailored for group sessions and perhaps smaller advanced group sessions. A well balanced program between traditional teachings and dogmatic truths as well as topics like scandal, worldly affections and apologetics might be in order to lay a solid foundation for modern day Catholics. A requirement for catechesis training for volunteers is paramount, the reasons are obvious - no need to go into details here. Too bad there isn’t a requirement for cradle Catholics to be involved in the RCIA journey as mentors and/or sponsors for those in need.

Overall; what an awesome thing we have in RCIA though. I’ve seen people in our parish turn around and become volunteers the next year so they might share their experiences and enthusiasm.

 

[bcuster]

It all depends on who leads RCIA, what the content is, how the leader deals with concerns and questions. Our pastor leads RCIA. He also has brought people into the church during the year when he felt it was appropriate (Former Lutheran Seminarian and his wife). There needs to be openness for meeting with people individually as well.

 

[Neofight]

I agree, they should have it twice a year.

Or parishes could cooperate with each other, and have them start at various times in the year.

Our parish went “year round” with RCIA. Catechumins, by and large, will enter at the Easter Vigil, but candidates will be confirmed and receive Holy Communion anytime during the year, when the pastor determines they are ready.

 

[EmergencyOps]

RCIA is a proper barrier (for lack of a better word) for entry into the Church.

I started out at a great RCIA program in Baton Rouge, and would have been 100% ready for Easter, had I not been demobilized (disaster work) right after the Inquiry phase. That program was top-notch. Years later, I started over in RCIA at my home church in Texas…going through a one-year program. Although it was good, it wasn’t the level of craftsmanship that the Baton Rouge parish had.

RCIA is a great way for someone to really know if they want to become Catholic. Otherwise, it can be much easier to have a bad day and walk away from the Church. Through RCIA, you become invested in your faith.