Is this wrong?

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CharitableFaith

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I was baptized in the Protestant church in the holy trinity which is valid to the Catholic church, I have studied Catholicism for 2 in a half years and have a strong Catholic faith, and I am going to start RCIA in September which is taking forever because I’m excited. My question is, is it okay to identify myself Catholic when people ask my religion even though I’m still working on becoming in full communion, or no? Plus I’m a member of a Catholic Church, I know better not to participate in the sacraments 🙂

God Bless You All!
 
I think most people who ask your religion don’t really care. “I’m Catholic” covers the idea that you identify with the Catholic Church even if you are still in the process of joining. If you were to say something like “I’m in the Inquiry phase of RCIA and will be received into the Catholic Church next year” they would have no idea what you’re talking about.

On the other hand, if there was a situation where they did want the technical details – for example, if you were meeting with a priest to plan your wedding, then whether you have actually been received into the Church would make a difference and you need to be clear.

Does that help?
 
CharitableFaith said:
I was baptized in the Protestant church in the holy trinity which is valid to the Catholic church, I have studied Catholicism for 2 in a half years and have a strong Catholic faith, and I am going to start RCIA in September which is taking forever because I’m excited. My question is, is it okay to identify myself Catholic when people ask my religion even though I’m still working on becoming in full communion, or no? Plus I’m a member of a Catholic Church, I know better not to participate in the sacraments 🙂

God Bless You All!
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WELCOME HOME!!!

I say, with all of my authority, which is -0- , that you can claim you are a Catholic! You essentially are…just some study to do…🙂

If you have any doubts, ask your priest. Pretty sure he would say the same thing.

God bless YOU!!!

:extrahappy:
 
I posted this in your other thread. I want to make sure you see it.

Please speak to your priest. If you’ve been studying the faith for 2.5 years and have lived as a Christian, you can be confirmed into the church without going to RCIA. You don’t have to wait until next Easter.
 
CharitableFaith, welcome to our Catholic faith! Glad you’re a part of our family. 🙂

I agree with SuscipeMeDomine that there would be times when it would be fine to say you’re Catholic, times when being specific isn’t necessary, and times when being specific about the fact that you’re in the process of becoming Catholic would be a good thing. After all, you could be providing a testimony to other would-be Catholics. They could see your enthusiasm and be curious. Who know what seeds God could use you to plant!

:blessyou:
 
maltmom said:
I posted this in your other thread. I want to make sure you see it.

Please speak to your priest. If you’ve been studying the faith for 2.5 years and have lived as a Christian, you can be confirmed into the church without going to RCIA. You don’t have to wait until next Easter.
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Please Private Message Me! I have questions 🙂
 
I sent a message to you, but I’m not sure if it went through. Here is a link to Catholic Answers, not the forum, on becoming Catholic. There is a section on preparation of a Christian. Feel free to send a private message to me.
 
I’m very happy to hear that you are well on your way to entering the Church!

I have a suggestion, however. Don’t pass up the opportunity to tell people that, after years of study, you are in the process of becoming Catholic. This is an opportunity to engage others in dialogue and it is a witness to the truths of the faith.
 
Welcome!!
I went into RCIA with years of research like yourself. I recommend that you go through it regardless. The people in those classes basically become like family and it’s a wonderful way to get to know people.
 
I always told people that I was Catholic before I was actually confirmed into the Church. I felt Catholic, I believed as a Catholic, and tried to observe all of the customs/traditions that Catholics did as well as attended Sunday Mass (as well as other times) for over two years and had been praying the rosary for six. It did confuse a lot of people when I pointed out that I was finally going to be confirmed into the Church, though, LOL! Of course, it also gave me the opportunity to explain to them about RCIA and the awesome journey of becoming fully confirmed as a Catholic! 😉
 
Right now you’re part of the Church by desire, so yes you can rightfully call yourself Catholic. 🙂
CharitableFaith said:
I was baptized in the Protestant church in the holy trinity which is valid to the Catholic church, I have studied Catholicism for 2 in a half years and have a strong Catholic faith, and I am going to start RCIA in September which is taking forever because I’m excited. My question is, is it okay to identify myself Catholic when people ask my religion even though I’m still working on becoming in full communion, or no? Plus I’m a member of a Catholic Church, I know better not to participate in the sacraments 🙂

God Bless You All!
Click to expand...
 
blanc10 said:
Welcome!!
I went into RCIA with years of research like yourself. I recommend that you go through it regardless. The people in those classes basically become like family and it’s a wonderful way to get to know people.
Click to expand...
I agree. I think sometimes we short-curcuit the process of building the community that will sustain us over the years when we rush to move things along.

My husband was confirmed without going through RCIA, which was indeed a great blessing. However, he then went back and attended classes and so built up the community through that.
 
I’m sort of like you in the sense that I want to be Catholic but I’m not yet. But anyway, if you have been a practicing Christian for x amount of years and are knowledgable about the Catholic Church, I think you are allowed to be confirmed outside of the RCIA process since that is more for reverts to Catholicism and converts who have never been Christian.
 
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