My RCIA is barely Catholic

[mathematoons]

My RCIA teacher is a Protestant who claims to be Catholic. The textbook he picked says that Jesus had brothers (any Catholic worth his salt knows that “brothers” does not always mean literal brothers) and that the Bible does not suggest that Mary was ever virgin (basically calling it a man-made tradition like the Protestants do), and he agrees with it. I objected, and he gave one of those weasel answers about how theologicans disagree on things.

The RCIA volunteers are on my side, but there are only two other students and they’re both very apathetic about the whole thing. I come home depressed every Monday night because of this stupid class. I’ve read everything about the faith I can get my hands on for the past year, so I could easily test out of this dumb class. But I hear you can’t do that, which stinks.

It’s so bad that I get tempted to call in sick each time. I manage to resist this temptation, but I end up wishing I could just be done with it.

Anyonw have any suggestions on how I can put up with this?

 

[jwinch2]

My RCIA teacher is a Protestant who claims to be Catholic. The textbook he picked says that Jesus had brothers (any Catholic worth his salt knows that “brothers” does not always mean literal brothers) and that the Bible does not suggest that Mary was ever virgin (basically calling it a man-made tradition like the Protestants do), and he agrees with it. I objected, and he gave one of those weasel answers about how theologicans disagree on things.

The RCIA volunteers are on my side, but there are only two other students and they’re both very apathetic about the whole thing. I come home depressed every Monday night because of this stupid class. I’ve read everything about the faith I can get my hands on for the past year, so I could easily test out of this dumb class. But I hear you can’t do that, which stinks.

It’s so bad that I get tempted to call in sick each time. I manage to resist this temptation, but I end up wishing I could just be done with it.

Anyonw have any suggestions on how I can put up with this?

Well, your first step is to be careful about throwing out accusations. I know you are frustrated, and it sounds like you should be! However, claiming your RCIA director is a protestant, while he may or may not be teaching things in an orthodox fashion, isn’t going to help anyone. It sounds to me like he was very poorly catechized himself.

Secondly, which text are you using? I would be curious to see if it has either an imprimatur and/or nihil obstat. If it does, I have a very hard time seeing how it would be teaching heterodox ideas.

Thirdly, since you have already discussed things with the RCIA director personally, I would take things to the Pastor or at least ask that someone on your RCIA team do so. Preferably the second as you really should not have to be dealing with this sort of thing, let alone be in the middle of it.

I am very sorry that you are going through this. My RCIA experience was wonderful and things were taught right out of the US Catechism for Adults and other handouts that were faithful to Church tradition and teachings. I cringe when I hear this sort of thing. I will be praying that you find a good solution and that your experience improves…

Peace,

 

[FromTheAshes777]

the first thing I would do is pray that God would give me the right words and right attitude to handle the situation

then I would speak with the parish priest ASAP. in a calm, polite, but straight forward tone, let the priest know what is being taught in the RCIA class. the Church very clearly teaches that Mary only had one Son born from her womb.

if the priest agrees with the RCIA instructor, or refuses to act, I would probably search for another parish and also write a letter to the bishop of your diocese. you have a right to orthodox catholic teaching in a catholic parish.

the reason that you want to become Catholic is because you believe what the Church teaches of course.

you are in my prayers

 

[Mrs_Sally]

Speak directly to your pastor. Call and ask to make an appointment, don’t just grab him after Mass. Be polite and direct. Bring the book, explain exactly what the instructor sai. Don’t not call names or make accusations, ask questions.

If he isn’t concerned, or things don’t get better, look at another parish. Talk to the DRE or priest there first to be sure it isn’t more of the same.

If you are restricted to this parish for now, remeber that once you are confirmed, you are Catholic, even if your instruction was sub-par. Continue to pray, read, and study on your own.

 

[Senior_Pal]

If served a lemon make lemonade,

In other words if the instructor is indeed Protestant as you claim well at least you know of the teachings of another faith, try RCIA at another Catholic church. The diversity can be amazing.

 

[MartyrForJesus]

Let the pastor know, and if you don’t think anything is being done contact the Bishop.

Contrary to being thought of as ‘mean’, you are helping spread the Kingdom by making sure others are not taught heresy in one of the most critical times of faith formation.

 

[puzzleannie]

My RCIA teacher is a Protestant who claims to be Catholic. The textbook he picked Anyonw have any suggestions on how I can put up with this?

you don’t put up with bad catechesis, you inform the pastor immediately, and the bishop if the pastor does not respond. There is no excuse. Jesus reserved his harshest judgement for those who presume to have authority over the “little ones”, not only children, but those who are new to the faith, yet teach falsely.

 

[opus101]

you don’t put up with bad catechesis, you inform the pastor immediately, and the bishop if the pastor does not respond. There is no excuse. Jesus reserved his harshest judgement for those who presume to have authority over the “little ones”, not only children, but those who are new to the faith, yet teach falsely.

You are there asking to be instructed in the CATHOLIC faith, and are receiving something else. This is very, very horrible, and I’m really surprised that no one has done anything about it up to this point!

Pray for this leader, but you MUST contact the priest. Can you write everything down that you can remember about the materials used and the explanations given, so that you can give the priest a good idea of what’s going on? If things aren’t addressed as soon as possible, you really need to contact your Bishop.

I can’t believe that this leader ever thought he could get away with something like this (unless the pastor is of the same ilk?).

Has this RCIA leader been doing this for awhile? It would be interesting to find out how many others have been misled by him.

 

[TheRealJuliane]

You are there asking to be instructed in the CATHOLIC faith, and are receiving something else. This is very, very horrible, and I’m really surprised that no one has done anything about it up to this point!

Pray for this leader, but you MUST contact the priest. Can you write everything down that you can remember about the materials used and the explanations given, so that you can give the priest a good idea of what’s going on? If things aren’t addressed as soon as possible, you really need to contact your Bishop.

I can’t believe that this leader ever thought he could get away with something like this (unless the pastor is of the same ilk?).

Has this RCIA leader been doing this for awhile? It would be interesting to find out how many others have been misled by him.

:clapping:

yes, OP, PLEASE write down everything, take your book, and go see your priest ASAP! Do not let another week go by before you talk to him!! These things are heresy!

 

[Kathryn_Ann]

you don’t put up with bad catechesis, you inform the pastor immediately, and the bishop if the pastor does not respond. There is no excuse. Jesus reserved his harshest judgement for those who presume to have authority over the “little ones”, not only children, but those who are new to the faith, yet teach falsely.

I completely agree with the above. This is a very serious issue, no matter how small the class size. Yes, please make an appointment immediately with the Pastor, etc. I empathize with your feeling upset about this and can certainly understand why. I will pray for your situation and for you, that the situation is remedied as soon as possible and that either a new instructor is found or that you find another RCIA class that is appropriate. Peace to you.

 

[mathematoons]

I spoke to my priest about it. He sympathizes, but he says nothing can be done unless I catch the teacher teaching explicit heresy. The teacher can say that the Bible does not provide conclusive evidence of Mary being ever virgin, but he can’t say that she ever had sexual intercourse or bore any more children.

My priest says I just have to be patient with this RCIA class. I just get so frustrated with the teacher (a deacon, no less!) testing limits like that.

 

[jwinch2]

I spoke to my priest about it. He sympathizes, but he says nothing can be done unless I catch the teacher teaching explicit heresy. The teacher can say that the Bible does not provide conclusive evidence of Mary being ever virgin, but he can’t say that she ever had sexual intercourse or bore any more children.

My priest says I just have to be patient with this RCIA class. I just get so frustrated with the teacher (a deacon, no less!) testing limits like that.

What book are you using? Earlier you suggested that it taught outright falsehood.

 

[Julia_Mae]

I spoke to my priest about it. He sympathizes, but he says nothing can be done unless I catch the teacher teaching explicit heresy. The teacher can say that the Bible does not provide conclusive evidence of Mary being ever virgin, but he can’t say that she ever had sexual intercourse or bore any more children.

The teacher is right, the Bible doesn’t say that, so he is correct. Yet, it’s Dogma. My question in class is: “Tell us how things get to be Dogma without being spelled out in Scripture?” This allows the person to speak more about Tradition. Bring your own Catechism with paragraphs marked. I’m wondering, if your Pastor is not concerned, if you have misunderstood what the Deacon is doing, as it sounds more like he might be de-emphasizing Scripture for Protestants who depend on it. And if he ever teaches actual heresy, then ask enough questions to get him to make explicit statements and write that down for the Pastor.

 

[FCEGM]

I spoke to my priest about it. He sympathizes, but he says nothing can be done unless I catch the teacher teaching explicit heresy. The teacher can say that the Bible does not provide conclusive evidence of Mary being ever virgin, but he can’t say that she ever had sexual intercourse or bore any more children.

Two things:

First: Your pastor can indeed do something about the situation; if the teacher is not expressing the Catholic Faith well (setting aside the issue of heresy) your pastor should interview the teacher to get a better sense of the instructor’s understanding of the Catholic Church. Just how many candidates have to be badly instructed before he acts?

Second: Your teacher can say what the Blessed Virgin remained a Virgin before, during and after the birth of her Son; this is Catholic dogma supported by both Scripture and Tradition. A good teacher should be able to explain the evidence for the Church’s teaching.