RCIA at one parish....then attend another?

[jmcrae]

The first thing you need to understand (to address your question) is that Catholic parishes are territories. That means that one is a member of the parish where one actually lives.

That’s why participating in RCIA in a parish other than your actual parish can present certain issues and potential problems. Before doing this, you need to speak with one pastor or the other (not RCIA director, or anyone else, but the pastor). I would suggest starting with the pastor of the parish where you are considering participating in RCIA----the reason being that it is better not to be in a situation where you say to one priest “I don’t want to be part of your RCIA program…” only to have to come back later if the other priest says “no.”

People who do not understand what they are writing about will tell you “it doesn’t matter.” It does matter. Parishes are territories and the pastor’s ability to administer the Sacraments of Initiation (especially to adults) depend upon whether or not someone lives in that parish. While an exception to this might very well be possible, the only person who can tell you this is the pastor of that parish—no one on the internet can answer on his behalf.

This is an excellent point. Without the permission of the pastor in whose parish you reside, any Sacraments administered would not be licit.

 

[onegirlinchrist]

Hi All,

So the director of the RCIA program at the parish I wish to attend for RCIA said that it is quite common for people from other parishes and dioceses to attend their RCIA. She confirmed that special permission would be needed from the Bishop of my diocese for the “Rite of Election.” She called it a “minor issue” and it seems that he routinely gives this permission.

Perhaps they are more strict at other dioceses. Where I live, at least, they seem to be more flexible.

 

[Gorgias]

special permission would be needed from the Bishop of my diocese for the “Rite of Election.” She called it a “minor issue” and it seems that he routinely gives this permission.

Well, the debate seemed to be whether permission was necessary at all, not whether it was routinely given or not. To all those who claimed it wasn’t necessary – that we just flit wherever we wish, without any other consideration (which, to be fair, people tend to do with respect to Mass attendance, and this probably is what informs their opinion on this question) – you’ve just demonstrated that it is necessary (even if it’s a formality that’s easily enough satisfied).