Is this a valid concern about RCIA?

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Elzee

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This is my first year helping with RCIA in my parish. After Easter those of us who are helping with RCIA will be asked for our (name removed by moderator)ut on the program. I’ve spent most of this year listening. Without going into detail, our program was developed in-house and is a series of talks on ecumenisn, the sacraments, etc. No book is used - the CCC has not been and will not be mentioned. There is also nothing in the program that covers what I consider very basic Catholic theology - the fact that this was the Church founded by Christ, why we have the fullness of truth, why we have priests, and what Catholics are required to believe (the Real Presence, Purgatory, Marian doctrines of the Assumption, Immaculate Conception etc.) A couple of these doctrines are discussed, but only in a cursory manner and they’re not presented as ’ you are obligated to assent to these teachings’. For example, our candidates and catechumens were told that many Catholics who receive Communion do not believe in the Real Presence. But that wasn’t followed up with - “then they should not be receiving” and an explanation on why not. As a result, our RCIA participants have no idea that it is a sacrilege to receive if you do not believe.

My question is - is this a valid concern to raise? Is this a ‘typical’ RCIA program? Our pastor has said many times his main goal is to make our participants feel welcome - not to overload them with doctrine. But it seems we are missing the basics. Can anyone who has more experience with RCIA than me (which is probably everyone) help me?
 
I went through RCIA as a candidate. I subsequently sponsored in RCIA and was on the RCIA team for 10 years.

And, I have to say your RCIA program is a disgrace if it is doing such a poor job of catechesis and leading people astray regarding Catholic doctrine.

I would absolutely bring it up, long and loudly, until something was done about it.
 
Elzee said:
This is my first year helping with RCIA in my parish. After Easter those of us who are helping with RCIA will be asked for our (name removed by moderator)ut on the program. I’ve spent most of this year listening. Without going into detail, our program was developed in-house and is a series of talks on ecumenisn, the sacraments, etc. No book is used - the CCC has not been and will not be mentioned. There is also nothing in the program that covers what I consider very basic Catholic theology - the fact that this was the Church founded by Christ, why we have the fullness of truth, why we have priests, and what Catholics are required to believe (the Real Presence, Purgatory, Marian doctrines of the Assumption, Immaculate Conception etc.) A couple of these doctrines are discussed, but only in a cursory manner and they’re not presented as ’ you are obligated to assent to these teachings’. For example, our candidates and catechumens were told that many Catholics who receive Communion do not believe in the Real Presence. But that wasn’t followed up with - “then they should not be receiving” and an explanation on why not. As a result, our RCIA participants have no idea that it is a sacrilege to receive if you do not believe.

My question is - is this a valid concern to raise? Is this a ‘typical’ RCIA program? Our pastor has said many times his main goal is to make our participants feel welcome - not to overload them with doctrine. But it seems we are missing the basics. Can anyone who has more experience with RCIA than me (which is probably everyone) help me?
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It is unfortunately a typical RCIA process, yes. Is heresy of any concern today? Uh? YES! Every RCIA process MUST be based in the Catechism, reference the Catechism, and teach nothing but what is expressed in the Catechism. It is not a place for personal opinion to be expressed.

I will agree that they should not be memorizing the Suma, but they should be able to find things in the Catechism along with the Church Documents, and the Scriptures referenced in the Catechism.
 
When I was in RCIA, each of us was told to get a Catholic Bible (red paperback edition) and the CCC (the full version, white/blue cover). The CCC was referred to often in class and it was used for the outline of the program.

If you truly feel something is wrong, speak up. Especially when they are asking for your (name removed by moderator)ut.
 
Are there any guidelines from Rome or even the USCCB outlining what should be covered during RCIA to prepare our candidates and catechumens?
 
Yes, it is a valid concern. I think you could use the same words you use above to express your concerns in the feedback about the program.

Catechumens and candidates need to know the basics.
 
Elzee said:
Are there any guidelines from Rome or even the USCCB outlining what should be covered during RCIA to prepare our candidates and catechumens?
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Actually there was at one time. It is no longer available in print. But about 15 or so years ago the was a publication issued by the USCCB intended to be used for RCIA and Adult Education. It outlined the basic requirements of adult Catechesis. It was discontinued after the CCC was published. I assume that they assumed that the CCC would be used in it’s place.
 
my first question would be, in what capacity are you assisting with RCIA? IIf you are a sponsor, and are accompanying a candidate in the portion of the program called Breaking Open the Word, often there is no book except of course the Sunday lectionary, unless the catechist has a guide of some type offering a brief teaching on the readings and suggesting reflection questions. Often the catechetical or formal teaching is done at another time and place, and the sponsors may not be present for that and not aware of what goes on there.

If you are a catechist you are rightly concerned about the lack of a formal structure for the teaching of doctrine, which the RCIA ritual book mandates. The CCC never was intended as a textbook, but mainly as a reference for the catechist. Various teaching materials based on it, such as those provided by most RE textbook publishers, or the new Compendium and Adult Catechism, are preferred for classroom use. These teachings can be compiled in such a book, or in popular “handouts” either purchased from a reliable publisher or produced (at much more labor and expense) by the parish.

It is my experience at least in adult classes that a combo study guide-workbook-journal works better than a textbook in RCIA and confirmation classes. This implies that the catechist is well prepared and can teach the lesson on each topic without having the candidates follow along in a written text. But the candidates would be well served if the parish provided a bible and CCC for each of them. We also provide a Handbook for Today’s Catholic (liguori) and Outlines of the Catholic Faith (Flannery) so that every confirmation candidate, youth and adult, leaves with those resources and knows how to use them.

Your only basis for judging what is going on in your parish is what is actually being taught, is it orthodox, and is a comprehensive presentation of doctrine being given according to a good outline or guide? If you came to our RCIA class you would observe the catechist teaching “off the top of his head” as it were, without refering to any written material. That is because he has been doing this for 30 years (both our catechists for RCIA are retired deacons) and can speak at length with accuracy on any topic. Candidates are given a “handout” with the scriptural and CCC references for what they are taught at each session and they have homework based on it, but they don’t have a book in their hands during the actual lesson.

If you would like a good guide for systematic presentation of doctrine, Making Disciples by OSV is a great compendium of “what we MUST teach” with several suggested class schedules and formats. It is a catechist guide, not a student textbook.
 
Oh my goodness! As the RCIA director for my parish I was kind of horrified to read your description; I don’t know how the catechumens or candidates can possibly be prepared to take on the life of a disciple of Jesus if they don’t know what they’re “signing up” for. With all due respect for the pastor, the time for making people feel welcome is during the precatechumenate inquiry process. The Catechumenate is where we learn how to live life as Catholic Christians in the world.

I would absolutely encourage you to express your concerns; as an RCIA Director, I wouldn’t be very honest in my ministry if I wasn’t open to the Holy Spirit–through listening the people I work with. Besides, most RCIA processes have to go through some growing pains in order to discern the best way of serving those who come to our doors.

For what it’s worth: In my parish, we meet Sunday afternoons and break open the Scriptures proclaimed at that weekend’s Mass. Then we discuss one or more of the Church’s teachings–ideally one that can be gleaned from the Gospel. Taking both the Word of God and teachings of the Church, we then discuss how to apply them to our real, every day lives. Our “text books” are the Bible and the catechism…and each catechumen/candidate is taught how to use, read and apply both. We also introduce the various traditions, Church Fathers [and Mothers ;-)] and the tremendous resources we have as Catholics. I use several different resources for “lesson plans” but only as a backbone for presenting the Word and Teachings.

Please be bold in bringing these issues to your RCIA Director; our catechumens and candidates deserve nothing less than the full truth! You will be in my prayers.
 
OblSB said:
Oh my goodness! As the RCIA director for my parish I was kind of horrified to read your description; I don’t know how the catechumens or candidates can possibly be prepared to take on the life of a disciple of Jesus if they don’t know what they’re “signing up” for. With all due respect for the pastor, the time for making people feel welcome is during the precatechumenate inquiry process. The Catechumenate is where we learn how to live life as Catholic Christians in the world.

I would absolutely encourage you to express your concerns; as an RCIA Director, I wouldn’t be very honest in my ministry if I wasn’t open to the Holy Spirit–through listening the people I work with. Besides, most RCIA processes have to go through some growing pains in order to discern the best way of serving those who come to our doors.

For what it’s worth: In my parish, we meet Sunday afternoons and break open the Scriptures proclaimed at that weekend’s Mass. Then we discuss one or more of the Church’s teachings–ideally one that can be gleaned from the Gospel. Taking both the Word of God and teachings of the Church, we then discuss how to apply them to our real, every day lives. Our “text books” are the Bible and the catechism…and each catechumen/candidate is taught how to use, read and apply both. We also introduce the various traditions, Church Fathers [and Mothers ;-)] and the tremendous resources we have as Catholics. I use several different resources for “lesson plans” but only as a backbone for presenting the Word and Teachings.

Please be bold in bringing these issues to your RCIA Director; our catechumens and candidates deserve nothing less than the full truth! You will be in my prayers.
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YYYYes!
 
Thank you all so much for your help and replies. I will definitely speak up. I have several times already when the sessions have been so far off from Catholic teaching I just couldn’t sit quietly by and let our candidates and catechumens be misled, but since I will actually be* asked* for my opinion in a few months in a more formal setting I want to be prepared. I just need to formulate my thoughts very concisely and constructively.

I have an appointment with the pastor of a very orthodox church in our diocese to hear how he organizes his RCIA program. Our parish staff doesn’t think much of this parish for various reasons, but it will give me an example of an RCIA program in our area that adheres to Church teaching. I’m hoping it will help me formulate my thoughts better and give me some good examples to present since I’m so new at this. That info along with everthing you guys have given me here should be very helpful.

Thank you all so much!
 
Elzee said:
Thank you all so much for your help and replies. I will definitely speak up. I have several times already when the sessions have been so far off from Catholic teaching I just couldn’t sit quietly by and let our candidates and catechumens be misled, but since I will actually be* asked* for my opinion in a few months in a more formal setting I want to be prepared. I just need to formulate my thoughts very concisely and constructively.

I have an appointment with the pastor of a very orthodox church in our diocese to hear how he organizes his RCIA program. Our parish staff doesn’t think much of this parish for various reasons, but it will give me an example of an RCIA program in our area that adheres to Church teaching. I’m hoping it will help me formulate my thoughts better and give me some good examples to present since I’m so new at this. That info along with everthing you guys have given me here should be very helpful.

Thank you all so much!
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I would recomend getting a DVD from the USCCB called “Come to the Water - The Journey to Adult Baptism” or soemthing like that.
 
I second Br. Rich’s recommendation to get “Come to the Water”–and not just because it was produced in my own Archdiocese 🙂 It outlines the RCIA process as it is at St. James Cathedral, and has interviews with the RCIA Director, catechists, sponsors and Catechumens/Candidates. There is also a beautiful section showing baptisms at Easter.
 
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