RCIA & Baptism

[MSSheBear]

Andrew90: At my parish the catechumens are strongly encouraged (ahem) to go to a Reconciliation Service for practice. Maybe that is what they mean? Or maybe they think you have actually been baptized. I gather you have not had good luck with RCIA. I have a wonderful RCIA. I will be praying for you.

 

[Vico]

Vico - thankyou, that’s helpful…

JGMendes - yes I’m going to ask for clarification, just in case there has been a misunderstanding…

Isla - this is the third time I’ve started RCIA. Each time I’ve done so in a different parish. The first 2 times I bailed because the standard of instruction was incredibly low - in fact it was unbearable and I just could not continue with it. I’ve commented about this elsewhere on this forum.

This is the sorry situation a potential Catholic convert finds himself in modern-day Australia, it’s really very frustrating…

Also there is the possibility of being baptized into one of the Eastern Catholic churches in Australia. (All connected with Pope Bennedict XVI)

Maronite CC: Eparchy of Saint Maron of Sydney
Melkite-Greek CC: Eparchy of Saint Michael’s of Sydney
Ukrainian-Greek CC: Eparchy of Saints Peter and Paul of Melbourne
Chaldean CC: Eparchy of Saint Thomas the Apostle of Sydney

2010 Statistics for Australia​

Maronite 150,000 (11 parishes) - West Syrian Tradition
Melkite 50,000 (10 parishes) - Byzantine Tradition
Ukrainian 32,500 (10 parishes) - Byzantine Tradition
Chaldean 32,000 (4 parishes) - East Syrian Tradition

 

[Cathryn]

I teach RCIA and you would not have the Sacrament of Reconciliation before Baptism. Baptism is when Original sin and all your sins are washed away. Your first sacrament of reconciliation to God is Baptism. This must come first. I suggest giving the Pastor the benefit of the doubt that he does not understand the situation. I would make an appointment with the Pastor and let him know that this is a very confusing situation for you since it appears to go against what you know of Catholic Church teaching.

 

[Joannm]

I teach RCIA and you would not have the Sacrament of Reconciliation before Baptism. Baptism is when Original sin and all your sins are washed away. Your first sacrament of reconciliation to God is Baptism. This must come first. I suggest giving the Pastor the benefit of the doubt that he does not understand the situation. I would make an appointment with the Pastor and let him know that this is a very confusing situation for you since it appears to go against what you know of Catholic Church teaching.

We tell our catechumens that they have it great for now…all their past sins will be forgiven at baptism…but anything committed after they must confess. It is so comforting to them knowing that they start with a clean slate, especially if their past life hasn’t been so holy.

 

[jilly4ski]

Vico - thankyou, that’s helpful…

JGMendes - yes I’m going to ask for clarification, just in case there has been a misunderstanding…

Isla - this is the third time I’ve started RCIA. Each time I’ve done so in a different parish. The first 2 times I bailed because the standard of instruction was incredibly low - in fact it was unbearable and I just could not continue with it. I’ve commented about this elsewhere on this forum.

This is the sorry situation a potential Catholic convert finds himself in modern-day Australia, it’s really very frustrating…

Sorry you are having a rough time in your area. You could also cite the creed in support of your position. “one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.” That seems pretty clear. Prayers.

 

[SeekNFind]

I just bumped a thread in the Evangelization thread before seeing this discussion. Everyone in my class was told we’re doing this sacrament but now I know it’s incorrect after reading this. Will be discussing this with someone tomorrow!

 

[5Loaves]

Also there is the possibility of being baptized into one of the Eastern Catholic churches in Australia. (All connected with Pope Bennedict XVI)

Maronite CC: Eparchy of Saint Maron of Sydney
Melkite-Greek CC: Eparchy of Saint Michael’s of Sydney
Ukrainian-Greek CC: Eparchy of Saints Peter and Paul of Melbourne
Chaldean CC: Eparchy of Saint Thomas the Apostle of Sydney

2010 Statistics for Australia​

Maronite 150,000 (11 parishes) - West Syrian Tradition
Melkite 50,000 (10 parishes) - Byzantine Tradition
Ukrainian 32,500 (10 parishes) - Byzantine Tradition
Chaldean 32,000 (4 parishes) - East Syrian Tradition

We’re so small we don’t get reported in these stats, but the Russian Greek Catholic Church has a parish also in Australia, in East St Kilda, Victoria In fact they bought a substantial new church property back in Oct and are worshiping there now.
If you’re on Facebook you can “like” them there: Trinity-St. Nicholas Russian Catholic Church

 

[SeekNFind]

OK, is it simply that unbaptized people don’t need to go to confession or it it WRONG? The reply I received is that it isn’t “wrong” to do this rite.

 

[domandcarols]

Why is it a funny question? I feel there is more to the picture than being presented so I am curious why he wouldn’t want to follow the guidance of the priest who is bringing him into the church.

You can’t be absolved until you’re Catholic so there’s really no point… The priest is wrong.

 

[domandcarols]

OK, is it simply that unbaptized people don’t need to go to confession or it it WRONG? The reply I received is that it isn’t “wrong” to do this rite.

Well you could go to confession but you wouldn’t be able to receive absolution.

 

[Cathryn]

The Sacrament of Reconciliation will not reconcile you to God, because you have not first been baptized and cleansed of Original Sin. At baptism you will be cleansed of all your sins including Original.

Will it harm you, No. But it is not good form to disregard the whole purpose of the Sacrament of Baptism.

 

[SeekNFind]

The Sacrament of Reconciliation will not reconcile you to God, because you have not first been baptized and cleansed of Original Sin. At baptism you will be cleansed of all your sins including Original.

Will it harm you, No. But it is not good form to disregard the whole purpose of the Sacrament of Baptism.

Thank you! I don’t want to but it is being “encouraged.” I won’t be participating. Thanks.

 

[drw72]

I have run into a similar inconsistency. I am sponsoring my wife and daughter in RCIA and the subject of who needs to be baptized was brought up in class. Our coordinator, who is a Catholic High school teacher, told everyone that if they have been baptized in a Christian church they are good to go. I asked about the formula (Father, Son & Holy Spirit) versus just in the name of Jesus and she responded that it does not matter…baptized is baptized.

I am not too concerned for my family as my wife was baptized Lutheran and my daughter kind of generic (in the correct formula by a Navy Chaplain) but I did not want the rest of the class getting bad information.

 

[Cathryn]

I have run into a similar inconsistency. I am sponsoring my wife and daughter in RCIA and the subject of who needs to be baptized was brought up in class. Our coordinator, who is a Catholic High school teacher, told everyone that if they have been baptized in a Christian church they are good to go. I asked about the formula (Father, Son & Holy Spirit) versus just in the name of Jesus and she responded that it does not matter…baptized is baptized.

I am not too concerned for my family as my wife was baptized Lutheran and my daughter kind of generic (in the correct formula by a Navy Chaplain) but I did not want the rest of the class getting bad information.

Your coordinator is wrong. It matters very much. If the proper matter and form are not used there is no Baptism.

 

[Vico]

I have run into a similar inconsistency. I am sponsoring my wife and daughter in RCIA and the subject of who needs to be baptized was brought up in class. Our coordinator, who is a Catholic High school teacher, told everyone that if they have been baptized in a Christian church they are good to go. I asked about the formula (Father, Son & Holy Spirit) versus just in the name of Jesus and she responded that it does not matter…baptized is baptized.

I am not too concerned for my family as my wife was baptized Lutheran and my daughter kind of generic (in the correct formula by a Navy Chaplain) but I did not want the rest of the class getting bad information.

Archdiocese of Santa Fe produced this document on valid and invalid baptism:

archdiocesesantafe.org/Offices/Worship/RCIA/RCIAInformation/Baptisms.pdf