RCIA question/suggestion

[bnpacheco]

I was baptized and raised as a member of the Presbyterian church through my mother’s side, but as I grew older, I longed to be a member of the Catholic church, from my father’s side. A year ago, I tried to go through RCIA, but was turned down because I was not married through the church, and my husband did not complete his sacraments (confirmation) as a youth. Is there anyway I can still complete RCIA without this? I feel wronged by not being able to be a member of a faith I believe in, plus I have a child who I baptized in Catholic church and he has received his Holy Communion. I feel it is my Christian right to become a member without restrictions.

 

[Mtatum1958]

I think you should make an appointment with either the person who heads the RCIA or the priest of the parish where you wish to attend RCIA. Ask the reason for this and how it can be addressed. Anything I could say would just be speculation, but could there be a question on the validity of your marriage?

 

[Convert3]

I began RCIA while I worked on an annulment of a previous marriage, and my second wife was a cradle Catholic and a widow. After my annulment was complete of my first marriage, my wife and I convalidated our marriage in the Catholic Church. So, there is no rule against taking RCIA unless it is individual pastor who enforces that, which is his prerogative. You might approach you priest for clarification. Then possibly look at another parish…

 

[Jen7]

I agree with the other replies. A very strange response you got! I have never heard of that happening before! Please try RCIA at another parish or sit down with the priest or RCIA director and personally ask all your questions about this strange situation! It seems unreal to me they would close you out of RCIA on account of… anything. I’m so, so sorry for your distressing experience! Please don’t give up!

 

[1ke]

Is there anyway I can still complete RCIA without this?

Your husband is a Catholic and therefore you and he were bound to marry according to the laws of the Church. If he isn’t willing to convalidate then seek radical sanation of the marriage.

I feel it is my Christian right to become a member without restrictions.

No one has a “right” as you speak of it.

Marriages are either valid or invalid, and right now yours is an impediment to entering the Church. But it is not impossible, as I mentioned a radical sanation can bring your marriage into the Church, or a convalidation.

Speak to your priest about these options.

 

[Wesrock]

Did they just give a flat no with no discussion of regularizing the marriage? That would seem odd.

Edit: Even if your husband is dragging his feet on the matter, there should still be ways to proceed (assuming your current marriage is your first marriage for the both of you).

 

[mrsdizzyd]

Someone should have talked to you about how you can regularize your marriage. Surly someone talked to you about your options?

 

[DIERM]

It baffles me why those interested in coming into full communion with the Church through the RCIA process are not, at their time of interest, meeting with the Pastor of the parish…despite best intentions, canonical considerations and answers should not be left to the laity, or worse, random and anonymous people (whether me, or anyone else) on social media websites.

Talk to the Pastor, and pray, as I will pray for you!

 

[Horton]

Who exactly “turned you down”? There is nothing in the situation you outlined that would preclude you from going through RCIA. I would guess there is more to the situation than you are saying which means we would be unable to help.

I feel it is my Christian right to become a member without restrictions.

None of us have the “right” to be a member of the Body of Christ without restrictions. When we come into communion of Christ’s Church we are bound to obey His “restrictions”.