Question on RCIA and Baptism

[savedbychrist]

I am an adult catechumen, who has been attending the RCIA for 5 months. As we know, the Catholic Church requires a 1.5 year RCIA process before approving catechumens to be baptised. I understand this is to let catechumens to have a deeper knowledge in faith, so that they are more aware of what they believe in before receiving this eternally effective Sacrament. Yet, is this in line with the biblical teaching? In the Acts of the Apostles Chapter 8, Philip preached to an Ethiopian eunuch. After the eunuch proclaimed his faith, Philip baptised him with water. Why is the Church making the 1.5 year course to be a prerequisite for receiving Baptism? Surely it is right and just for a believer to attend the RCIA, we all should and desire to know more about God. But shouldn’t Baptism be made available to all believers? If God is willing to take a believer as His child, and the believer is willing to become God’s child, why then, should the Church reject baptism for the believer?

Recently, I am quite troubled by this issue of receiving Baptism. As I have only been attending the RCIA for 5 months until now, before the Baptism on Easter 2019, I will be still 10 months short of the requirement.

Therefore, a priest of my Parish expressed his concern of my faith being not rooted for long enough, and thus he rejected my Baptism in 2019. What troubles me is that my faith is seen to be directly related to my experience in RCIA. Having only attended for 5 months for now, does not mean I have only met God for 5 months. Also, I am quite upset that my faith has been assessed and judged just because I am young in experience. It is just very grieving that God accepts everyone who comes to Him to be His children, yet the Church is unwilling to accept us as new born children of God.

Has anyone here faced similar situation? What do you think about the RCIA and Baptism requirements?

 

[FOG]

There is a lot to unravel in your post, which I think has some misunderstandings:

As we know, the Catholic Church requires a 1.5 year RCIA process before approving catechumens to be baptised.

The “Church” does NOT require an express time frame of religious instruction for baptism, or receiving other Sacraments to enter into full communion with the Church. The time frame for entering into full communion, which includes Baptism, is different each person, as our Journey of Faith, like life, is not a cookie cutter reality…listen to your pastor.

Why is the Church making the 1.5 year course to be a prerequisite for receiving Baptism?

Again, it is not a prerequisite, but also again, listen to your Pastor…part of being a Catholic is obedience; not blind obedience, but trusting in the counsel of our priests.

a priest of my Parish expressed his concern of my faith being not rooted for long enough, and thus he rejected my Baptism in 2019.

Again…trust your priest.

What do you think about the RCIA and Baptism requirements?

Perhaps you are worried about your salvation, should you be called to the Lord before your Baptism…Baptism, and its grace that offers salvation can be obtained through: Baptism by water (what you are discussing); Baptism by blood (dying as a martyr without having received Baptism by water), and Baptism by desire (having accepted the teachings of Christ and the church while awaiting Baptism by water).

So relax…Enjoy learning your faith and participating in RCIA…God has you covered!

 

[Crusader13]

Unfortunately your situation is a problem that many have encountered while seeking to enter the church. There are many other circumstances that play into why your pastor expressed his concerns in this manner and unfortunately I can’t speak to how closely informed he was regarding where you are in your faith journey.

Based upon your summary of what had transpired, it does appear that he simply equates time spent in RCIA as a measurement for when someone should be allowed to be baptized. I for one do not agree with this line of reasoning and if RCIA is not a requirement, then it shouldn’t be used as a standard to decipher whether one is ready to receive baptism or not.

Unfortunately RCIA varies from parish to parish and diocese to diocese. Many are taught by lay people and are overseen by parish administrators who seem to have complete control and autonomy to operate as they see fit. With such widespread disparity it is difficult for people such as yourself to receive a clear and concise response in how to proceed.

I don’t feel that you are attempting to cut corners nor are you seeking the easiest path to enter the Church. However, it’s not beyond the realm of possibility that you could go to another parish and speak to another priest and receive a completely different response to your dilemma, after articulating your story in the exact same manner.

 

[Wesrock]

RCIA varies from parish to parish, and probably varies more by country. Most programs in the USA I’ve encountered start in September and end on Easter, and sometimes offer some weekly educational meetings in the summer (my wife’s RCIA program watched Bishop Barron’s Catholicism series over the summer in an informal way, then RCIA formally began in September).

Follow your priest, though. While we see some extraordinary examples in the Bible, the ancient Church is known to have had catechumens undergo three years of preparation before baptism, because conversion is not something to take lightly.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

If you read the rites book, you’ll see that the Church envisions the catechumenate as lasting at least one full liturgical year (meaning you go through one Easter as a catechumen and are baptized the following year). Many parishes cut this short which does a disservice to people. It sounds like your parish is doing it right.

The catechumenate is not only a time of learning. It’s also a time to develop your relationship with God, to learn to pray and deepen your prayer life, and to become incorporated into the parish community.

Perhaps your sponsor can be a help for you to do some of these things.

 

[c1949]

Jesus waited some 30 years before his baptism in the Jordan.

1.5 years sounds excessively long, I just don’t understand the circumstances. Priests must study years, at least 5 years I think before they are ordained.

Aside from the time factor, isn’t the RCIA process building you up spiritually? In addition to commanding his apostles to baptize all nations, Jesus also told them to teach them all that he had commanded.

In the example in acts where the eunuch is baptized. we don’t know how long he had been preparing himself FOR baptism.

In the early Church, as I vaguely understand it, there was a great concern that the “mysteries” should be withheld from the catechumens until they fully understood what new life they were about to undertake.

from my own life, I am horrified by my own sin that I have committed after my infant baptism many years ago. Use the time to work on those sins that as St Paul says “cling” to each of us. I don’t know, maybe RCIA does help you with that but may I suggest that you make sure you are spiritually ready for Baptism. It is a GREAT sacrament and a great Church.

 

[MikkiD1]

At baptism you will enter into life in the Spirit and become a member of the Body of Christ. The gifts and graces that you receive with Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist will strengthen and nourish you for that life. You won’t cease to learn about your faith when you receive your baptism. At least, I hope you won’t. Drawing nearer to the Lord will continue through your life.

You can’t learn all about your faith in a year and a half .I’m a cradle Catholic, baptized before I was a month old, and I’m now 63 years old. I’ve learned more about my faith in the past ten years than I ever knew before. And I feel like I’ve barely scratched the surface.

Think about people that are baptized in emergency situations. Think about Peter baptizing the eunuch after opening the Scriptures for him on a carriage ride… In my opinion, important thing is your desire for God and you intention and willingness to love and obey Him as the Church teaches based on Divine Revelation. Please don’t hesitate to receive the most important gift you could ever be given.

One more thing. The evil on hates that you are about to take this step. He will do what he can to discourage you.

 

[TheLittleLady]

As we know, the Catholic Church requires a 1.5 year RCIA process before approving catechumens to be baptised.

There is no such official timeline.

People may be instructed in different ways, baptized and received when the Pastor deems necessary (in obedience with the rules set in place by his local Ordinary).

Have you sat down with your pastor? ETA. It seems your pastor has talked to you. Obedience and patience are two lessons that the Church teaches us.

 

[MikkiD1]

I understand what you mean by your sins horrifying you. But don’t you have confidence that those sins have been forgiven in the sacrament of Confession? God tells us in Scripture that he washes those sins away and then forgets them.

I think it’s vital to be united to Christ and the Sacraments. We are never going to be spiritually ready enough to never sin after Baptism, are we?

 

[TheLittleLady]

u. But don’t you have confidence that those sins have been forgiven in the sacrament of Confession?

The OP has not been baptized, they cannot yet receive absolution as baptism is the gateway to all other Sacraments.

 

[MikkiD1]

I realize the OP is a catechumen. I was replying to c1949. Did I put it in the wrong place?

 

[TheLittleLady]

This is why thread drift (mea culpa mea culpa) is confusing on we old folks

 

[FOG]

The OP has not been baptized, they cannot yet receive absolution as baptism is the gateway to all other Sacraments

If this were true, then there would be no hope for salvation of anyone not baptized, not a Christian and not a Catholic.

We Catholics are bound by the dogma and doctrine of the Church, but those who have no previously accepted or entered full communion with the Church are not doomed because of the Church’s theology of invincible ignorance.

In the end, Salvation, and whether any sacraments are received, or being in communion with the Catholic Church is secondary to the divine will and judgment of God.

 

[MikkiD1]

Ha ha. No worries. That’s why I asked. It wouldn’t have been the first time that I was mixed up.

 

[c1949]

Then, too, there’s plenty of room at the top. When 1.5 years goes by I hope you look back at it as well worth both the time and the effort, and that you will continue to progress in your faith, and especially in the area of evangelization.

I pray that the sacraments will be very meaningful for you – seriously – and remember that our earthly desire and goal is holiness. We don’t know why you are on a 1.5 year path – be holy and patient anyway.

 

[1ke]

As we know, the Catholic Church requires a 1.5 year RCIA process before approving catechumens to be baptised.

Actually, RCIA has no time-bound requirements. People are received into the Church when they are ready, which may be months or years. For catechumens it means usually going through the period of inquiry (for however long that lasts) and then going through the rites during the time period between roughly Advent and Easter (3-5 months) culminating in baptism at Easter Vigil and a 7 week mystagogia.

Therefore, a priest of my Parish expressed his concern of my faith being not rooted for long enough, and thus he rejected my Baptism in 2019.

It is a pastoral decision as to when catechumens are ready.

 

[Fraevo63]

@savedbychrist

You refer to “a priest of your parish”. Is he the pastor of the parish? I would think he is the pastor. If so, shouldn’t you consider him YOUR pastor as instead of a priest of your parish? Is he involved in catechizing yourself and other catechumens and candidates in the current RCIA process you are involved in?

 

[savedbychrist]

He is the assistant parish priest. He has substituted once in teaching the RCIA class I attend, but normally the class is taught by another priest.

 

[Fraevo63]

I don’t quite understand how an assistant parish priest who only substituted one time in instruction, made the decision that you must wait beyond the 2019 Easter Vigil to be baptized. I am just stating my own thoughts and am just a forum member. I don’t represent Catholic Answers.
In your heart of hearts you accept the teachings of The Church and believe the gospel of Jesus Christ and you desire baptism at the 2019 Easter Vigil yes?

 

[savedbychrist]

Yes.

But my Diocese has set a rule, requiring catechumens to have attended 78 lessons of Catechumenate class before they are allowed for baptism, which is why at first I said the Church required so.