RCIA is a joke!

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FatBoy

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First of all, I personally felt more “protestantized” than catechized when going through RCIA. We transferred to 3 different RCIA classes before finally just giving in. I found myself as a protestant, defending the Catholic Church against Catholics. CRAZY! This wasn’t just one time. This was almost at every class. We heard things such as, “you don’t have to believe in purgatory; the Catholic Church is not the kingdom of Christ; all that matters is your personal relationship with Jesus, you can go to any church; Christ’s divinity is not clear in scripture; you don’t have to confess your sins to your priest, you can’t lose your salvation”. At another parish we heard things like, “you don’t have to believe Adam and Eve were real people” and “hopefully someday women will be allowed to be priests”. What a joke!

Those who are coming into full communion who have already been baptized and practicing Christians should never have to go through RCIA. I think Catholics have a bad habit of forgetting what RCIA stands for (Rite of CHRISTIAN Initiation for Adults). That’s right “Christian” not “Catholic”. If the person is already a Christian there is no reason why they should have to go through a Christian initiation.

I’m grateful that I am now in full communion; however, I really feel bad for Christian converts who continue to have to go through that ****. It took my family and I about 5 years to finally make it through simply because of all the nonsense we had to listen to.

If you are having to go through RCIA may the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
 
FatBoy said:
First of all, I personally felt more “protestantized” than catechized when going through RCIA. We transferred to 3 different RCIA classes before finally just giving in. I found myself as a protestant, defending the Catholic Church against Catholics. CRAZY! This wasn’t just one time. This was almost at every class. We heard things such as, “you don’t have to believe in purgatory; the Catholic Church is not the kingdom of Christ; all that matters is your personal relationship with Jesus, you can go to any church; Christ’s divinity is not clear in scripture; you don’t have to confess your sins to your priest, you can’t lose your salvation”. At another parish we heard things like, “you don’t have to believe Adam and Eve were real people” and “hopefully someday women will be allowed to be priests”. What a joke!

Those who are coming into full communion who have already been baptized and practicing Christians should never have to go through RCIA. I think Catholics have a bad habit of forgetting what RCIA stands for (Rite of CHRISTIAN Initiation for Adults). That’s right “Christian” not “Catholic”. If the person is already a Christian there is no reason why they should have to go through a Christian initiation.

I’m grateful that I am now in full communion; however, I really feel bad for Christian converts who continue to have to go through that ****. It took my family and I about 5 years to finally make it through simply because of all the nonsense we had to listen to.

If you are having to go through RCIA may the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
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What diocese? And have you spoken with the parish priest and/or the bishop? It’s one thing to feel bad for those left behind, so to speak, but another to do something about it. I’m not sure if you can, but hopefully, you can create a positive response.
 
FatBoy said:
First of all, I personally felt more “protestantized” than catechized when going through RCIA. We transferred to 3 different RCIA classes before finally just giving in. I found myself as a protestant, defending the Catholic Church against Catholics. CRAZY! This wasn’t just one time. This was almost at every class. We heard things such as, “you don’t have to believe in purgatory; the Catholic Church is not the kingdom of Christ; all that matters is your personal relationship with Jesus, you can go to any church; Christ’s divinity is not clear in scripture; you don’t have to confess your sins to your priest, you can’t lose your salvation”. At another parish we heard things like, “you don’t have to believe Adam and Eve were real people” and “hopefully someday women will be allowed to be priests”. What a joke!

Those who are coming into full communion who have already been baptized and practicing Christians should never have to go through RCIA. I think Catholics have a bad habit of forgetting what RCIA stands for (Rite of CHRISTIAN Initiation for Adults). That’s right “Christian” not “Catholic”. If the person is already a Christian there is no reason why they should have to go through a Christian initiation.

I’m grateful that I am now in full communion; however, I really feel bad for Christian converts who continue to have to go through that ****. It took my family and I about 5 years to finally make it through simply because of all the nonsense we had to listen to.

If you are having to go through RCIA may the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Click to expand...
Okay wait a minute here I gather from your post that you are a practicing Christian becoming Catholic. You have to remember that RCIA has to serve people who were not raised as Christians as well so in most parishes the classes are combined now I’m sorry that your bored and frustrated because you already know this information but you must understand that other people do not. If you are really that frustrated with the classes at your parish and go talk to your parish priest because depending on your situation you might be other options available to you besides the classes. One final thing I want to point out I know you’re frustrated but cussing is not going to solve the problem it looks really bad and it is against the rules here. Good luck to you and your family. Peace be with you.
 
I was lucky that when my wife came into the church our RCIA program was quite good. Now that I’ve found a permanent job and have bought a house, I intend on joining the RCIA program at our parish so that I can help out in person, and not just online.
 
Please, don’t tell people here that can not do anything to stop this from happening without stopping it from happening yourself right now.
As an agnostic, I was able to tell a pastor of a booklet that was being distributed on a table for anyone to take. I read it, and then posted here about my problems with it.
It turned out to be a bogus thing someone was loading the table without permission from the pastor.
Give them a chance. Tell the pastor about this. That is his job to handle.
I wish you the best in this
 
Rolltide said:
I was lucky that when my wife came into the church our RCIA program was quite good. Now that I’ve found a permanent job and have bought a house, I intend on joining the RCIA program at our parish so that I can help out in person, and not just online.
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🙂

You were not lucky, you were blessed.
 
FatBoy said:
First of all, I personally felt more “protestantized” than catechized when going through RCIA. We transferred to 3 different RCIA classes before finally just giving in. I found myself as a protestant, defending the Catholic Church against Catholics. CRAZY! This wasn’t just one time. This was almost at every class. We heard things such as, “you don’t have to believe in purgatory; the Catholic Church is not the kingdom of Christ; all that matters is your personal relationship with Jesus, you can go to any church; Christ’s divinity is not clear in scripture; you don’t have to confess your sins to your priest, you can’t lose your salvation”. At another parish we heard things like, “you don’t have to believe Adam and Eve were real people” and “hopefully someday women will be allowed to be priests”. What a joke!

Those who are coming into full communion who have already been baptized and practicing Christians should never have to go through RCIA. I think Catholics have a bad habit of forgetting what RCIA stands for (Rite of CHRISTIAN Initiation for Adults). That’s right “Christian” not “Catholic”. If the person is already a Christian there is no reason why they should have to go through a Christian initiation.

I’m grateful that I am now in full communion; however, I really feel bad for Christian converts who continue to have to go through that ****. It took my family and I about 5 years to finally make it through simply because of all the nonsense we had to listen to.

If you are having to go through RCIA may the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Click to expand...
YOU DANG SURE DIDN’T GO THROUGH MY RCIA PROGRAM !!! Mike Dye
 
StrawberryJam said:
🙂

You were not lucky, you were blessed.
Click to expand...
We have excellent formation classes in my parish they even have classes for fallen away Catholics who never got a good foundation in Catholic teachings. I benefited from the program and completed adult confirmation in 2004. We are blessed as well.
 
Mike_Dye said:
YOU DANG SURE DIDN’T GO THROUGH MY RCIA PROGRAM !!! Mike Dye
Click to expand...
I guess I need to expand on my last post. In our parish I do almost all of the RCIA sessions and I take the responsibility seriously. I am completely traditional and orthodox. I rely on Sacred Scripture, The CCC, The teachings of the early Church Fathers, and finally my life experience of being a faithful Catholic for 6 decades. Our people get a good and complete understanding of our faith. Mike Dye!
 
Mike_Dye said:
I guess I need to expand on my last post. In our parish I do almost all of the RCIA sessions and I take the responsibility seriously. I am completely traditional and orthodox. I rely on Sacred Scripture, The CCC, The teachings of the early Church Fathers, and finally my life experience of being a faithful Catholic for 6 decades. Our people get a good and complete understanding of our faith. Mike Dye!
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That’s great! What parish?
 
Aydan said:
Okay wait a minute here I gather from your post that you are a practicing Christian becoming Catholic. You have to remember that RCIA has to serve people who were not raised as Christians as well so in most parishes the classes are combined now I’m sorry that your bored and frustrated because you already know this information but you must understand that other people do not. If you are really that frustrated with the classes at your parish and go talk to your parish priest because depending on your situation you might be other options available to you besides the classes. One final thing I want to point out I know you’re frustrated but cussing is not going to solve the problem it looks really bad and it is against the rules here. Good luck to you and your family. Peace be with you.
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You really should read the entire statement before you comment in writing. If you did you would realize that I am a Catholic. By the way, where do you see a curse word?

Peace be with you
 
Fat Boy - remember Jesus had to defend Himself against Peter AND Judas, both of whom argued with and even betrayed Him in different ways. And Paul had to rebuke Peter as well.

RCIA is taught by human beings, who are not just fallible but downright sinful at times, as St Peter was - or worse. If you find yourself having to explain things to them, just put yourself in the Lord’s shoes - NOBODY was really catching His drift until after the Ressurection, and even then He needed to stay with 'em and keep teaching 'em until they finally got it!
 
Sounds like you should volunteer to be on the RCIA team!

From my experience, our Pastor cannot be there every week, he relies on the Associate Pastors, Deacons and the RCIA team to fill in when he cannot be there. He knows that those people on the team will defend the teaching of the Church.

Yes, there should be a different process for non-Catholic Christians, however the real life restrictions of people and time step into play. Having converts like you on the RCIA team helps so much.

If you need to organize some fund raising so every person in RCIA has a Catechism, then, have a bake sale or car wash! Maybe update the materials used, we use ACM and I’d reccomend it to any RCIA team.

Pray, love and roll up your sleeves and get involved.
 
FatBoy said:
You really should read the entire statement before you comment in writing. If you did you would realize that I am a Catholic. By the way, where do you see a curse word?

Peace be with you
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I’m sorry for trying to help in no need to be rude it is statements like this that caused me to leave the Latin rite. I’m out of here.
 
That you received poor catechesis in your RCIA is unfortunate. It is a failing of your pastor and possibly your bishop. If they are unaware of what is being taught, make them aware. If they are already aware, make the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith aware.

Now, on to your rant about RCIA.

First, as a Catholic you know well that the Church has authority over the Sacraments and the preparation process for them. It is the Bishops who brought the catechumenate program back for those seeking baptism and added also a process for those who are baptized and not yet in full communion with the Church to be catechized and complete their sacraments of initiation.

Yes, it is called Rite of Christian Initiation For Adults, and those who are baptized are still being initiated because Eucharist and Confirmation are ALSO Sacraments of Initiation. To call RCIA a “joke” with such broad brushstrokes shows ignorance on your part as to what RCIA is and what purpose the Rites serve-- and also a lack of respect for the wisdom of the Bishops who sought to ensure proper formation for all those seeking to become Catholics.

Candidates are not to be treated in the same way as catechumens nor is their process identical. But, there is a process.

Your rant is a bit childish. It’s not all about YOU. The church is universal and must serve not only people like yourself who are very well catechized but also those who, baptized or not, have not heard the Gospel nor lived a Christian life. If your particular program lacked orthodox teaching then work to change it, don’t complain about it and certainly do not disparage RCIA as a whole. The Bishops have established RCIA, who are you to presume you know better than they?
 
I agree with 1ke

Just the fact that someone is baptized doesnt mean that they are well versed in the faith, or just the fact that someone is not baptized doesnt mean that that person has no knowledge in the faith.

Everybody is different and it is impossible to make a programme that suits all persons.

And sometimes those coming from other denominations might even need more catechesis than the un baptized who was never practicing christians.

The teachings of the church is the truth, and the truth can not be made into a speed train, it must have its own tempo.

There is a reason that Lord Jesus stayed on earth for 3 years preaching before he completed his mission.
 
FatBoy said:
First of all, I personally felt more “protestantized” than catechized when going through RCIA. We transferred to 3 different RCIA classes before finally just giving in. I found myself as a protestant, defending the Catholic Church against Catholics. CRAZY! This wasn’t just one time. This was almost at every class. We heard things such as, “you don’t have to believe in purgatory; the Catholic Church is not the kingdom of Christ; all that matters is your personal relationship with Jesus, you can go to any church; Christ’s divinity is not clear in scripture; you don’t have to confess your sins to your priest, you can’t lose your salvation”. At another parish we heard things like, “you don’t have to believe Adam and Eve were real people” and “hopefully someday women will be allowed to be priests”. What a joke!

Those who are coming into full communion who have already been baptized and practicing Christians should never have to go through RCIA. I think Catholics have a bad habit of forgetting what RCIA stands for (Rite of CHRISTIAN Initiation for Adults). That’s right “Christian” not “Catholic”. If the person is already a Christian there is no reason why they should have to go through a Christian initiation.

I’m grateful that I am now in full communion; however, I really feel bad for Christian converts who continue to have to go through that ****. It took my family and I about 5 years to finally make it through simply because of all the nonsense we had to listen to.

If you are having to go through RCIA may the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Click to expand...
I am truly sorry for the pain that your felt and still feel about the RCIA process. Many of the catechists and yes the team members, and the director of the process may not been formed properly, and need to be so. But they are human, and sometimes the best person to change them and form them, can be the candidates themselves, by challenging the team with the truth. The best way is to volunteer to be on the team and then offer to teach using the Catechism, Scripture, Tradition and the teachings from the Magisterium. Over time, those who are weak, will become either stronger or leave the team. You must also speak to your Pastor and see if change can be implemented from his leadership standpoint. If your diocese has a lay minisitry program in RCIA, go there, study and become a lay minister.
In our Process, we always use the CC as the resource for our sessions. We also use ACM as a resource too, along with Scripture, Tradition etc.
I hope this helps you
 
Your experience I hope, is a very isolated one. My wife and I just finished our RCIA this past Easter Vigil and it was very thorough. We tore apart the creed and discussed it in bits as well as scripture. We also ran through the “Come and See” monographs that explain in detail Catholic beliefs. We had a good time and learned alot. Our classes were given by the Parish RCIA director, two of the three Parish (Redemptorist) Priests and 2 Deacons and one Deacon to be. My fellow students ranged from former atheists to cradle Catholics that didn’t receive all the Sacraments of Initiation.

I hate to think that someone out there is teaching pretty much against what the Nicene and/or the Apostle’s Creed states what the Catholic belief system is.
 
StrawberryJam said:
Please, don’t tell people here that can not do anything to stop this from happening without stopping it from happening yourself right now.
Click to expand...
The potential power of prayer is great and can truly aid in helping to amend such a problem even if we can’t be physically present or physically assist in any manner. And should FatBoy try to act out to correct this, hopefully our prayers will make it easier at that time.
 
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