RCIA Easter Vigil: non-Catholic stand-in for unavailable Catholic sponsor?

[ryanmac]

Yes, thanks for your well wishes.

So far we’ve just had an RCIA team member step in when a sponsor has been necessary. I get the sense that we’re kind of an anomaly in that most people are led to the Church by local Catholics, so this isn’t an issue.

It’s certainly not the case that we’re alone in the process. My brother and a few others have been very close during this journey.

 

[nsper7]

I have a connected question. My sponsor is not going to be available during my Rite of Election. Can a non-Catholic fill in for him?

 

[maryjk]

I have a connected question. My sponsor is not going to be available during my Rite of Election. Can a non-Catholic fill in for him?

I am sure someone much more knowledgeable than I will step in and answer your question.

I do know that for my son’s Confirmation, they told us that the stand in had to qualify to be the sponsor.

Now because it is for the Rite of Election, it may be okay. But is it really that hard to find someone to stand in? I can tell you, if someone asked me, I would be honored. As I am sure most other Catholics would be.

 

[jmcrae]

I have a connected question. My sponsor is not going to be available during my Rite of Election. Can a non-Catholic fill in for him?

No. The role of your Sponsor or the proxy at the Rite of Election is to affirm to the Bishop that you have received the teachings of the Catholic faith by completing the Period of Catechesis in a satisfactory manner, and that you are now ready to proceed to the Period of Enlightenment.

Therefore, it has to be a Catholic in good standing who knows you well enough to be able to say that you have completed your Period of Catechesis in a satisfactory manner, and that there are no impediments to your becoming Catholic (ie: no marriage issues yet to be resolved).

As I understand it, there are not supposed to be any non-Catholics present at the Rite of Election, other than those who are actually being presented to the Bishop. The only people there are supposed to be you guys, your sponsors, and the person who is reading off the list of your names to the Bishop.

 

[nsper7]

No. The role of your Sponsor or the proxy at the Rite of Election is to affirm to the Bishop that you have received the teachings of the Catholic faith by completing the Period of Catechesis in a satisfactory manner, and that you are now ready to proceed to the Period of Enlightenment.

Therefore, it has to be a Catholic in good standing who knows you well enough to be able to say that you have completed your Period of Catechesis in a satisfactory manner, and that there are no impediments to your becoming Catholic (ie: no marriage issues yet to be resolved).

As I understand it, there are not supposed to be any non-Catholics present at the Rite of Election, other than those who are actually being presented to the Bishop. The only people there are supposed to be you guys, your sponsors, and the person who is reading off the list of your names to the Bishop.

I guess I’ll have to talk to the RCIA Director about this.

 

[jmcrae]

I am confused and concerned. How are people coming up with the idea that a non-Catholic could participate in a leadership role with their conversion to the Catholic faith?

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

I am confused and concerned. How are people coming up with the idea that a non-Catholic could participate in a leadership role with their conversion to the Catholic faith?

Do keep in mind that the OP was asking about a proxy for their real sponsors who are across the country. They asked specifically about the Easter Vigil which leaves open the question of who will be their sponsors or proxies at the Rite of Election and Scrutinies. I would think that if the sponsors aren’t going to be present at ANY of the rites then they’re the wrong people to be sponsors, but that seems to have gotten lost along the way.

 

[ryanmac]

Thanks for all of your help. Our priest is looking into the matter.

Just a tip for those already Catholic… Some of us aren’t as blessed to have Catholic friends and family (yet). So telling us to find a Catholic sponsor (or proxy) isn’t as easy as it might sound.

Most of my journey toward the Church happened in books and a handful of Catholic friends across the country & world. My local community is filled with faithful followers of Christ, but none Catholic (yet).

Though we’ve been going to Mass for about 8 months, we’re still learning how Catholics do community. We’re used to people sticking around and talking after the service, inviting new folks to lunch, dinner, Bible study, etc.

We’ve grown to have a great relationship to our priest, but even he acknowledges building community from the outside can be difficult. Please join us, and others in similar situations, in prayer for local community.

And while you’re at it, you can help others by talking to new faces after Mass. Invite them to lunch, dinner, or to serve along side you. My family is committed to our journey. But others may not be as patient. Help them along.

Take this another step… How about those that don’t even go to your parish, do they know that you’re Catholic? Maybe I have Catholic neighbors who never told me. Maybe they should be my sponsor but they never reached out.

You see, because if this was the standard in every parish, maybe questions like this wouldn’t be necessary.

 

[jmcrae]

Do keep in mind that the OP was asking about a proxy for their real sponsors who are across the country.

The proxy still has to make the vows and affirmations, though. If he doesn’t believe in the process, he shouldn’t be there.

They asked specifically about the Easter Vigil which leaves open the question of who will be their sponsors or proxies at the Rite of Election and Scrutinies. I would think that if the sponsors aren’t going to be present at ANY of the rites then they’re the wrong people to be sponsors, but that seems to have gotten lost along the way.

I agree. The sponsors should be members of the parish where the Initiation Sacraments are going to take place - and they also need to understand that they can’t go away on holidays for Easter; they have to be present at the Easter Vigil. (I’ve had that happen - it’s very frustrating. So many people simply do not grasp the concept.)

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

Just a tip for those already Catholic… Some of us aren’t as blessed to have Catholic friends and family (yet). So telling us to find a Catholic sponsor (or proxy) isn’t as easy as it might sound.

If your RCIA director were doing his or her job, this wouldn’t even be an issue. If you were in my parish I would have found sponsors for you and your spouse way back at the beginning of the process and they would have been people from the parish. It seems to me the RCIA director HAS to be on the ball about this for exactly the reason you mention. How is someone who is not yet Catholic supposed to already know someone who could be a sponsor?

 

[ryanmac]

Thanks again for your help. I just heard back from our priest confirming most of your thoughts…

While we may have long-distance Catholic sponsors, our proxies will also need to be baptized Catholics. He will work with us to find our proxies.

51 days till Easter Vigil!

 

[jmcrae]

Thanks again for your help. I just heard back from our priest confirming most of your thoughts…

While we may have long-distance Catholic sponsors, our proxies will also need to be baptized Catholics. He will work with us to find our proxies.

51 days till Easter Vigil!

And just over a week until the Rite of Election.

I hope they find you a sponsor in time.