I
IggyLoyolaCool
Guest
I’m an RCIA candidate for reception into full communion of the Catholic faith this Easter Vigil where I hope to be blessed by the sacrament of Confirmation. I’ve been faithfully instructed in catechism at a parish of my choice.
However, I recently have had the overwhelming feeling that I do not wish to continue membership at the parish where I will be receiving the sacrament. As a result, I wish to petition my Archbishop to receive Confirmation by his hand, as he is the original minister of the sacrament.
My reasoning for this is simple though details leading to this personal decision are complex. Though I am in good standing with this parish community, it is my most sincere wish to be fully initiated into the Catholic faith in an atmosphere which is representative of the Universal communion of the faith. It has been my overwhelming impression that the formative process by which my parish has operated stress more of an initiation to the ideologies of their parishoners. To put it simply, I feel as though I would be received into a church, rather than The Church.
Late last week, I was given 48 hours notice that our pastor would be saying vespers with a contingent of the parish community present and that I would be expected to attend and then make my confession. I’d previously mentioned to the director of religious education that I’d wished to have my full confession heard at an adjoining parish and, faced with this late-breaking development, I informed her that was my right and intention. To which I was told to appear at the vesper and tell Father that in the confessional booth.
Needless to say, the next 48 hours were excruciating in the sense that I felt to a certain extent that I was being sacramentally entrapped; though it was never said to me that I would not be receiving Confirmation should I refuse to confess to my parish pastor.
Moments before the vesper began, the DRE informed me that I wouldn’t have to go into the confessional to tell Father and that it would be okay to have my sacrament of Reconiciliation with the confessor of my choice. To which I nodded my head in relief and disbelief but inside I was screaming a big, fat “DUH!”
At any rate, this latest development is the straw that has broken the proverbial camel’s back with this parish and myself. I can’t get past the feeling that the chrism will be soiled in symbolism with the experience that I have had.
I’ve written the Chancery of my Archdiocese with a letter adressed to his Excellency asking humbly for his permission to receive the sacrament from him, but I can’t be sure the message will get to him in time. Tomorrow evening, I will be present at the Chrism Mass where he will preside.
Does anyone have any advice on how I may proceed henceforth? I’m understandably concerned about going through my Director of Religious Ed or my Pastor to initiate the transfer of paperwork, etc. I have thought of waiting as long as possible after the Chrism Mass to speak to the Archbishop or loiter outside his administrative offices the next day until I might be able to receive an audience with him. I don’t know what to do and don’t want to get shuffled around in bureaucratic nightmares. Is there anyone I can go to for help?
God bless, and please continue to keep all candidates and catechumens in your prayers.
A Quick note: I am in the Archdiocese of Louisville. If anyone on these forums may know of someone who might have the Archbishop’s ear on this matter, please do not hesitate to contact me by private message. Thank You
However, I recently have had the overwhelming feeling that I do not wish to continue membership at the parish where I will be receiving the sacrament. As a result, I wish to petition my Archbishop to receive Confirmation by his hand, as he is the original minister of the sacrament.
My reasoning for this is simple though details leading to this personal decision are complex. Though I am in good standing with this parish community, it is my most sincere wish to be fully initiated into the Catholic faith in an atmosphere which is representative of the Universal communion of the faith. It has been my overwhelming impression that the formative process by which my parish has operated stress more of an initiation to the ideologies of their parishoners. To put it simply, I feel as though I would be received into a church, rather than The Church.
Late last week, I was given 48 hours notice that our pastor would be saying vespers with a contingent of the parish community present and that I would be expected to attend and then make my confession. I’d previously mentioned to the director of religious education that I’d wished to have my full confession heard at an adjoining parish and, faced with this late-breaking development, I informed her that was my right and intention. To which I was told to appear at the vesper and tell Father that in the confessional booth.
Needless to say, the next 48 hours were excruciating in the sense that I felt to a certain extent that I was being sacramentally entrapped; though it was never said to me that I would not be receiving Confirmation should I refuse to confess to my parish pastor.
Moments before the vesper began, the DRE informed me that I wouldn’t have to go into the confessional to tell Father and that it would be okay to have my sacrament of Reconiciliation with the confessor of my choice. To which I nodded my head in relief and disbelief but inside I was screaming a big, fat “DUH!”
At any rate, this latest development is the straw that has broken the proverbial camel’s back with this parish and myself. I can’t get past the feeling that the chrism will be soiled in symbolism with the experience that I have had.
I’ve written the Chancery of my Archdiocese with a letter adressed to his Excellency asking humbly for his permission to receive the sacrament from him, but I can’t be sure the message will get to him in time. Tomorrow evening, I will be present at the Chrism Mass where he will preside.
Does anyone have any advice on how I may proceed henceforth? I’m understandably concerned about going through my Director of Religious Ed or my Pastor to initiate the transfer of paperwork, etc. I have thought of waiting as long as possible after the Chrism Mass to speak to the Archbishop or loiter outside his administrative offices the next day until I might be able to receive an audience with him. I don’t know what to do and don’t want to get shuffled around in bureaucratic nightmares. Is there anyone I can go to for help?
God bless, and please continue to keep all candidates and catechumens in your prayers.
A Quick note: I am in the Archdiocese of Louisville. If anyone on these forums may know of someone who might have the Archbishop’s ear on this matter, please do not hesitate to contact me by private message. Thank You
