RCIA vs ? in this situation

[AskSeekKnock]

I apologize if this is not in the correct forum - I’m new here.

If an individual is baptized Catholic as an infant, but later chooses to become a Protestant and as an adult is confirmed in a Protestant church, how does that person ‘come home’?

Can they do RCIA? The materials from the local parish seem to suggest this is for people who are already Catholic, but not fully initiated. Is RCIA the pathway for someone in the above situation, too, or is there something different they are supposed to do?

 

[Drawmack]

I apologize if this is not in the correct forum - I’m new here.

If an individual is baptized Catholic as an infant, but later chooses to become a Protestant and as an adult is confirmed in a Protestant church, how does that person ‘come home’?

Can they do RCIA? The materials from the local parish seem to suggest this is for people who are already Catholic, but not fully initiated. Is RCIA the pathway for someone in the above situation, too, or is there something different they are supposed to do?

RCIA is the Rite of Christian (Catholic) Initiation for Adults. It is a confirmation class. If you were not confirmed as a child, but only baptized, then you should sign up for RCIA. If you were confirmed as a child then I believe all you need to do is go through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

I believe I’m correct about this, but will take reproof if I am not.

 

[Beachcomber]

Yes, I think all you need is the Sacrament of Reconciliation if all else is in line. I was in a similiar situation and that’s what my parish priest told me.

 

[1ke]

I apologize if this is not in the correct forum - I’m new here.

If an individual is baptized Catholic as an infant, but later chooses to become a Protestant and as an adult is confirmed in a Protestant church, how does that person ‘come home’?

Make an appointment to talk to a local parish priest. You are a Catholic, you just need to complete your sacraments of initiation.

I apologize if this is not in the correct forum - I’m new Can they do RCIA? The materials from the local parish seem to suggest this is for people who are already Catholic, but not fully initiated. Is RCIA the pathway for someone in the above situation, too, or is there something different they are supposed to do?

RCIA is a process for the unbaptized, and also for those baptized in other denominations.

Technically, as a Catholics-- RCIA is not the process for you. Adult catechism and adult confirmation is what you need. However, typically parishes don’t have resources to do multiple programs-- and so many in your situation do go through RCIA for catechism… but not for the Rites. You (or whomever you are inquiring about) are already a Catholic.

 

[AskSeekKnock]

You (or whomever you are inquiring about) are already a Catholic.

Forgive me, as I don’t mean this to sound ungrateful, rather I am a bit incredulous given the depth to which the distinction is unmerited -

the fact that I was confirmed in another denomination is irrelevant and I may pick up where I left off, so to speak, in the Catholic Church? I did stand in open church and pledge agreement and loyalty to another doctrine… and all that is needed of me now is Confession?

 

[Drawmack]

Forgive me, as I don’t mean this to sound ungrateful, rather I am a bit incredulous given the depth to which the distinction is unmerited -

the fact that I was confirmed in another denomination is irrelevant and I may pick up where I left off, so to speak, in the Catholic Church? I did stand in open church and pledge agreement and loyalty to another doctrine… and all that is needed of me now is Confession?

To reiterate what has already been said, make an appointment to talk to a parish priest in your area. He will be familiar with the local resources available as we are not.

 

[larsenl1]

I apologize if this is not in the correct forum - I’m new here.

If an individual is baptized Catholic as an infant, but later chooses to become a Protestant and as an adult is confirmed in a Protestant church, how does that person ‘come home’?

Can they do RCIA? The materials from the local parish seem to suggest this is for people who are already Catholic, but not fully initiated. Is RCIA the pathway for someone in the above situation, too, or is there something different they are supposed to do?

Thanks for the post! Great question. I am a member of the RCIA team in my parish. I think I can answer your question.

Baptised is baptised is baptised if it was done in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit while water was poured over you.

Then the second sacrament of initiation is first communion and the third sacrament of initiation is confirmation.

If you are baptised but did not receive First Communion and Confirmation in the Catholic Church, then you need to attend RCIA so that you can come into full communion with the church.

If you were confirmed in the Catholic Church as a child/teenager and at a later point you were confirmed in a protestant church, you do not need to go through RCIA. You do need to receive Reconciliation, commonly called Confession. You should consult with a priest on other matters, too. You may want some adult instruction in the church. In the RCIA classes in our parish, we welcome cradle catholics and reverts because they want the instruction and they do not participate in the rites of initiation at the Easter Vigil but they are welcome in every class.

God Bless

 

[1ke]

the fact that I was confirmed in another denomination is irrelevant and I may pick up where I left off, so to speak, in the Catholic Church?

That is correct. Confirmation in a non-Catholic (non-Orthodox) denomination that has their own “confirmation” ordinance is not relevant to your status as a Catholic. These other denominations-- Lutheran, Episcopal, Methodist, etc-- do not have valid Sacraments. I, for example, was confirmed in the Episcopal Church. That is not a valid confirmation.

You are Catholic by virtue of your baptism, and there is nothing you can ever do that makes you “not” Catholic. The formal joining of another denomination makes one only a Catholic in a canonical status of “defection.” And the remedy for defection is returning via the sacrament of Confession.

I did stand in open church and pledge agreement and loyalty to another doctrine… and all that is needed of me now is Confession?

Yes-- and depending upon your age and the circumstances (like did your parents take you out of the Catholic Church and into this other denom as a young child, etc), you may lack culpability there. \

The next step would be completion of your sacraments of initiation.

 

[Drawmack]

That is correct. Confirmation in a non-Catholic (non-Orthodox) denomination that has their own “confirmation” ordinance is not relevant to your status as a Catholic. These other denominations-- Lutheran, Catholic, Methodist, etc-- do not have valid Sacraments. I, for example, was confirmed in the Episcopal Church. That is not a valid confirmation.

You are Catholic by virtue of your baptism, and there is nothing you can ever do that makes you “not” Catholic. The formal joining of another denomination makes one only a Catholic in a canonical status of “defection.” And the remedy for defection is returning via the sacrament of Confession.

Yes-- and depending upon your age and the circumstances (like did your parents take you out of the Catholic Church and into this other denom as a young child, etc), you may lack culpability there. \

The next step would be completion of your sacraments of initiation.

I know you misspoke there, but it was still funny.

 

[1ke]

I know you misspoke there, but it was still funny.

I did not misspeak. I have no idea what you are talking about.

Ah, I see it now… I meant Episcopalian.

 

[Ave_Maria_1]

Hello!

I have encountered this situation in my parish. Father recommends coming to RCIA for instruction as there was very likely some things that were not known about the faith.

Some parishes do have an adult confirmation program and that would also be good.

It is time to truly delve into the faith and embrace it fully and joyfully! One needs knowledge for this. You cannot love what you do not know. To just go to confession and ‘pick up where you left off’ seems inadequate. This time seek a deeper catechesis.
And we ALL need ongoing catechesis! If we are not moving forward, then we are sliding backwards. We do not want to be mediocre or lukewarm but on fire!

God bless you! WELCOME HOME!

Ave Maria!

 

[JesusILove]

I apologize if this is not in the correct forum - I’m new here.

If an individual is baptized Catholic as an infant, but later chooses to become a Protestant and as an adult is confirmed in a Protestant church, how does that person ‘come home’?

Can they do RCIA? The materials from the local parish seem to suggest this is for people who are already Catholic, but not fully initiated. Is RCIA the pathway for someone in the above situation, too, or is there something different they are supposed to do?

Just go to Reconciliation. According to the Catholic Church, if you were baptized Catholic, you are always Catholic. I was confirmed in the Lutheran church, and married there, but then I went to Confession on April 29th and became reconciled to the Catholic Church again. That’s all you have to do.

 

[Texas_Roofer]

Hello!

I have encountered this situation in my parish. Father recommends coming to RCIA for instruction as there was very likely some things that were not known about the faith.

Some parishes do have an adult confirmation program and that would also be good.

It is time to truly delve into the faith and embrace it fully and joyfully! One needs knowledge for this. You cannot love what you do not know. To just go to confession and ‘pick up where you left off’ seems inadequate. This time seek a deeper catechesis.
And we ALL need ongoing catechesis! If we are not moving forward, then we are sliding backwards. We do not want to be mediocre or lukewarm but on fire!

God bless you! WELCOME HOME!

Ave Maria!

Good job. The fact one choose to be Protestant is no small sign of a lack of knowledge on the subject. The OP needs to address those issues. Most Parishes use RCIA as a catch all for adults, ours to. It would truly be sad to see one simply confess and pretend there was nothing left to review.

 

[Texas_Roofer]

Just go to Reconciliation. According to the Catholic Church, if you were baptized Catholic, you are always Catholic. I was confirmed in the Lutheran church, and married there, but then I went to Confession on April 29th and became reconciled to the Catholic Church again. That’s all you have to do.

? ? and your marriage was by catholic dispensation? or there was more to be done?

 

[Irish_Becca]

Were you ever confirmed in the Catholic church, or just the Protestant church?

 

[1ke]

and all that is needed of me now is Confession?

In general, yes, this is “all” you need to do. But, don’t just show up in the confession line. I suggest you make an appointment to talk to a priest in the local parish. Give him all the details of your baptism, subsequent defection from the faith, and desire to return.

There are some details you will need to fill in for him, including any current or prior marriages you and/or a spouse has. As a Catholic, there will be steps you need to take to regularize your marriage, if you are married. And, if a spouse has a previous marriage, or you do, there will also be additional things that the priest needs to discuss with you.

So, really, the best thing to do is to lay it all out for a priest locally and he will guide you on what you need to do.

 

[Br_Rich_SFO]

I apologize if this is not in the correct forum - I’m new here.

If an individual is baptized Catholic as an infant, but later chooses to become a Protestant and as an adult is confirmed in a Protestant church, how does that person ‘come home’?

Can they do RCIA? The materials from the local parish seem to suggest this is for people who are already Catholic, but not fully initiated. Is RCIA the pathway for someone in the above situation, too, or is there something different they are supposed to do?

Well if you were Baptized as an infant and never formally left the Church, then you are still Catholic. You can contact the parish where you were Baptized and obtain a record of that Baptism. If I understand correctly you never received you First Holy Communion or were validly Confirmed in the Catholic Church? If so an adult Sacramental preparation process may be what you need, or RCIA, keeping in mind you are already Baptized and Catholic!

 

[AskSeekKnock]

Thank you for the insight. Allow me to clarify two points: first, that I did receive First Eucharist as a Catholic youth, and second, that by “pick up where I left off” I did not mean that I would neglect catechesis and be content to coast; rather, that I left as a member of good standing and am surprised it would take only Confession to restore me to being a member in good standing after fully consenting to and sincerely pledging belief in an alternate doctrine.

Well if you were Baptized as an infant and never formally left the Church, then you are still Catholic

Perhaps this is where I’m stumbling - I certainly thought I had formally left, but perhaps this is not so?

 

[Texas_Roofer]

…

Perhaps this is where I’m stumbling - I certainly thought I had formally left, but perhaps this is not so?

To formally leave you have to write or tell the ordinary (Bishop) that you renounce Catholism and will no longer follow his authority. After that a different method applies. Your words to a Protestant are not acknowledged by the catholic authority.

hope that explains it

 

[Br_Rich_SFO]

Thank you for the insight. Allow me to clarify two points: first, that I did receive First Eucharist as a Catholic youth, and second, that by “pick up where I left off” I did not mean that I would neglect catechesis and be content to coast; rather, that I left as a member of good standing and am surprised it would take only Confession to restore me to being a member in good standing after fully consenting to and sincerely pledging belief in an alternate doctrine.

Perhaps this is where I’m stumbling - I certainly thought I had formally left, but perhaps this is not so?

Usually Catholics think that they are no longer Catholic and that Catholic Canon Law no longer applies to them when they simply stop practicing their Catholic faith. To formally leave the Catholic Church requires more than to simply stop going to Sunday Mass, and even a general acceptance of another belief system. This is evident with many of the early Christians, when the discussion of if only penance and Reconciliation were only necessary or if “re-baptism” was required.

The Confession upon returing to the practice of the Catholic faith is a very deep and detailed one requiring the expression of errors usually over many years. Such as “I intentionally missed my Sunday and Holy Day Mass obligation for 7 years” or lets say that I taught Sunday school in the other church. “I led hundreds of children into error.”

The return to the Catholic practice must also involve preparation for the reception of the Sacrament of Confirmation.