Is there such a thing as an 'emergency confirmation?'

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Andy_82

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A friend of mine has found themselves in an odd scenario: they’re enrolled in an RCIA program. But, thanks to family issues have had to temporarily relocate across the country and had to interrupt their studies for it. However, they are attending church and are, for all intents and purposes, are a practicing Catholic. Part of the reason for their being away from their prospective parish is that there is a mentally ill relative that needs care and there is a fairly solid case for an exorcism to be made (they’re working with the exorcist for the local parish as I type this) involving this family: black magic being the apparent cause they themselves aren’t the subject involved. However, are being badly affected by this apparent demon while they are there. I’m not sure what the criteria are having just enrolled in RCIA myself. But, is there such a thing as an emergency confirmation for such a person? If for any reason to help them in being protected from this thing? I know it sounds crazy and I’m sure others here have asked odd things relative to demons (thank you Hollywood). But, I do hope someone here can offer me an answer as I am worried for them

Thank you.
 
I don’t think there generally is. But in either case, this is a situation I would bring to her priest, and if the exorcist is involved I would discuss it with him as well.
 
Yes. The sacraments of the Church provide spiritual and physical health upon recipients in accordence with the providence of God.
 
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There is an “emergency Confirmation” but that is only if there is imminent danger of death.

There is no such thing as an emergency Confirmation because of ones living arrangements.

I would suggest they speak with the exorcist himself on this matter.

Are your friends already baptised? Are some baptised others not yet baptised?

It might be that the exorcist would agree that their condition would be better spiritually, if they were able to receive the sacraments. After all, the Church does indeed suggest frequent reception of Confession and Communion for the family members of those who are being tormented. If he sees the situation that way, he might suggest to the pastor (or he might be the pastor, I can’t tell) to receive your friends into the Church or baptize them (or mixture of the two) sooner rather than later.

And finally: I cannot possibly tell if you are speaking about one friend or several friends. You keep switching back and forth between the singular and the plural. Since you use the plural more often, I assume that you are asking about 2 or more friends.
 
Sorry, I’m in the habit of using third person pronouns for the singular rather than the plural alone to describe unnamed people. It’s a single person, I’m referring to and they have been baptized. Just not confirmed. 🙂
 
Andy_82 said:
It’s a single person, I’m referring to and they have been baptized. Just not confirmed. 🙂
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Ok. Was he baptised Catholic? I ask because there are different forms of RCIA and one is for those baptised non-Catholic and another for adults who were baptised Catholic but did not complete their First Communion and/or Confirmation (we call that the category of “un-catechized”).

If he was baptised Catholic, that makes things a little easier. If not, what I’m about to say is still going to apply.

Contrary to what most people think in N America, there is no rule that says a previously baptised person has to wait until the Easter Vigil to become a full Catholic. The irony is that the Church recommends specifically not to do it this way—but that’s become the typical experience nonetheless.

People can be received into the Church whenever they are ready as individuals.

First let me be clear that I don’t know if your friend is ready or not. Let me be absolutely clear that my suggestion here depends entirely on whether he is truly ready and truly committed to becoming a Catholic, and that I cannot know that.

You may want to discuss with the exorcist-priest and with the local pastor the possibility of receiving him into the Church sooner rather than later. Ask if that would be to the spiritual benefit of everyone involved. The Church certainly recommends that the family of the victim partake of frequent Confession and Communion----so there is an important value (a good) to be upheld by allowing a family member to do this, assuming he is ready. Try suggesting this to the exorcist.

However, to get back to your original question, this is not a situation that meets the criteria of an emergency Confirmation, although the Church does indeed have such a thing.
 
Having found out, I’m sorry to say they weren’t baptized Catholic. But, were so in the trinity by a preacher of some sort. Not that such helps here as their family is dominated by their step father. Who is ardently anti-Catholic and they’d have to rely upon the church alone for help with it. But, thank you for your response. I’ve been in the house where their family lives and there is most certainly something not right in it. (dark figures, things moving, extreme loss of energy for no reason are a few of the goings on there)
 
Yes, Confirmation, if it is lacking, is to be administered as part of the Last Rites. In the case of a baptized infant in danger of death, the child is to be Confirmed if a priest is available, even though the child has no need of the Eucharist, Reconciliation, or the Anointing of the Sick.
 
Wow. This is serious stuff. If you need a Rosary; you need only ask.
 
I’m on it. God bless you and bring them into the Church brother.
 
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