RCIA & Witchcraft

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Delaine75

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Hey friends,

I’m currently in RCIA and have never been baptized. I used to be Wiccan. A dear Catholic friend of mine said that I needed to let my priest know that I used to practice witchcraft before I am baptized. Not that I am doubting her, but would anyone know why I’d need to do this? I just want to make certain I’m doing everything as I should! Thanks! 🙂
 
I am not sure if you are requires since you weren’t baptized, but what can it hurt to mention it? I think I would rather err on the side of caution, and you might be able to give him some helpful insight yourself.
BTW congratulations and welcome!

Perhaps you can submit your question to ask an apologist.
 
Delaine75 said:
Hey friends,

I’m currently in RCIA and have never been baptized. I used to be Wiccan. A dear Catholic friend of mine said that I needed to let my priest know that I used to practice witchcraft before I am baptized. Not that I am doubting her, but would anyone know why I’d need to do this? I just want to make certain I’m doing everything as I should! Thanks! 🙂
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I really don’t see why you should have to do anything of the sort. It is the same as if you were with any other religion previously…
 
I would do it as a confession. I believe you can go to confession while in RICA. I may be wrong in this though.
 
I would try to discuss it with a priest at some point. Look at it this way, if you had been Buddhist, or Mormon, or another religion, there might be some divergent ideas. A discussion would give you an opportunity to explore those in more depth. Clearly, you have made a choice in coming to RCIA so this would be simply another way of clarifying your understanding. You might initially discuss this with your sponsor. Welcome to this part of your journey - we are pleased to have you here. 🙂
 
I suggest there is no need to “confess” your Wiccan background. “Baptism now saves us.” Baptism is a clean sweep. The general issue might be one for discussion if you need clarification, RCIA-wise. Blessings!
 
If you have never been baptized before in any religion, then you are golden.
Baptism cleanses us completely.
No confession necessary.
If, however, you are bothered by … anything regarding your past later on, then the confessional is a beautiful place to free you from any added burdens.

It is not necessary to tell the priest, but it is common for them to ask in order to assess how best to help you in your faith formation etc.

Please don’t worry that you will be judged. About anyone younger than 40 has happend to dabble knowingly and unknowingly in the wiccan arena.

Blessings to you. Have a wonderful experience.
 
Did you fill out any sort of paperwork when you signed up for RCIA? Our forms ask about past religious education/formation/beliefs. Your past history in witchcraft should be discussed with your priest for pastoral reasons. You don’t have to share it with RCIA team teachers or members though.
 
Aa a little aside: If you have any paraphernalia that was used in your former practice, I would advise you to rid yourself of it. A man of my acquaintance who is just returning to the faith formerly practiced pagan rituals. He has been bothered by negative spiritual occurrences during prayer. He is destroying all of his pagan and masonic items by burning them. Burning, so that no one else may possess them and be lead astray. Spirits may be associated with or attached to those items and cause you grief - especially as you grow in faith.
 
nordskoven said:
I suggest there is no need to “confess” your Wiccan background. “Baptism now saves us.” Baptism is a clean sweep. The general issue might be one for discussion if you need clarification, RCIA-wise. Blessings!
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I agree. This is something you would do during confession. When going through RCIA before being able to participate in communion you go to confession. Maybe even before baptism.
 
LilHomemaker said:
I agree. This is something you would do during confession. When going through RCIA before being able to participate in communion you go to confession. Maybe even before baptism.
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No, an unbaptised person do not go to confession.

Baptism cleanses a person from every sin, no matter how big or small that sin might be.

Only baptised persons can and should go to confession and the only sins that need to be confessed is the post baptismal sins.

You do not go to confession before baptism since there is no need for it.

Therefore there is no need to tell anything about the wiccan thing, except as somebody suggested for pastoral reasons, but still it is totally up to the OP to decide, baptism removes every stain of sin and will totally wipe out the stains from the wiccan.
 
Peace! You will not be required to address this to join… however… I recommend as a prior poster did… you approach it as a "confession " I think it will grant clarity…you will probably “feel” better a good Priest will not judge you… As a KoC layman… I would say I am pleased you are moving from that to the Church!!! May God Richly Bless this Journey!!! A clarification !!! You can request a non-Catholic “confession” while in RCIA, while it lacks the…Sacramental force of a members… Many find it helpful!!! My dear wife is in RCIA and has done a non-Cat "confession "…she was much edified
 
I believe your friend has given you sound advice. During the Scrutinies during Lent there are minor exorcisms (these are prayers and anointing, NOT what you see Hollywood movies nor do they have anything to do with demonic possession).

Since you were involved in occult practices, please receive the minor excorcism prayers and anointing available to you.

You can read more here:

acmrcia.org/pdf/liturgical_elements.pdf
 
I don’t see why that should stop you from being baptized. Though, do keep in mind that practicing wicca or anything like that is considered sinful.
 
=Delaine75;8666784]Hey friends,
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I’m currently in RCIA and have never been baptized. I used to be Wiccan. A dear Catholic friend of mine said that I needed to let my priest know that I used to practice witchcraft before I am baptized. Not that I am doubting her, but would anyone know why I’d need to do this? I just want to make certain I’m doing everything as I should! Thanks! 🙂
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I don’t see why. Where you are and WHY you are becomming Catholic are far more important AND REVELANT… I WOULD HOWEVER MENTION IT WHEN YOU MAKE YOUR FIRST CONFESSION.🙂

Gos Bless you. ASK alot of questions,

Pat
PJM on the FORUM

CHECK OUT MY BLOG FOR TONS OR GREAT CATHOLIC INFORMATION, 👍
 
Delaine75 said:
Hey friends,

I’m currently in RCIA and have never been baptized. I used to be Wiccan. A dear Catholic friend of mine said that I needed to let my priest know that I used to practice witchcraft before I am baptized. Not that I am doubting her, but would anyone know why I’d need to do this? I just want to make certain I’m doing everything as I should! Thanks! 🙂
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If it is on your conscience, then confess it! I had to go back over 20 years of being away, lots of stuff there.

Mind you, I was baptized as a baby so I had no other options. Technically, your baptism will wash away any sin, but sometimes we need to confess for our own peace of mind.

Definitely destroy any jewelry or other physical objects that you have. I took a hammer to my silver jewelry, completely destroying it, so others would not be affected by it (if I gave it away for example). I was happy to smash it, and prayed as I did it.
 
TheRealJuliane said:
If it is on your conscience, then confess it! I had to go back over 20 years of being away, lots of stuff there.

Mind you, I was baptized as a baby so I had no other options. Technically, your baptism will wash away any sin, but sometimes we need to confess for our own peace of mind.

Definitely destroy any jewelry or other physical objects that you have. I took a hammer to my silver jewelry, completely destroying it, so others would not be affected by it (if I gave it away for example). I was happy to smash it, and prayed as I did it.
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Good words Real!
 
PJM said:
I don’t see why. Where you are and WHY you are becomming Catholic are far more important AND REVELANT… **I WOULD HOWEVER MENTION IT WHEN YOU MAKE YOUR FIRST CONFESSION.:)**Gos Bless you. ASK alot of questions,

Pat
PJM on the FORUM

CHECK OUT MY BLOG FOR TONS OR GREAT CATHOLIC INFORMATION, 👍
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Why should it be mentioned in the first confession? Are you aware that only sins comitted AFTER the baptism should be mentioned at the first confession since the previous sins exists no more.

It seems like the Catholics in this forum doesnt understand the cleansing power of the baptism.

A Quote from the Cathechism:
1263 By Baptism** all sins are forgiven, original sin and all personal sins, as well as all punishment for sin.** In those who have been reborn nothing remains that would impede their entry into the Kingdom of God, neither Adam’s sin, nor personal sin, nor the consequences of sin, the gravest of which is separation from God.
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I can only see a reason to bring it to the priest for pastoral reasons and the sooner the better, no need to wait for easter vigil and the baptism.
 
Delaine75 said:
Hey friends,

I’m currently in RCIA and have never been baptized. I used to be Wiccan. A dear Catholic friend of mine said that I needed to let my priest know that I used to practice witchcraft before I am baptized. Not that I am doubting her, but would anyone know why I’d need to do this? I just want to make certain I’m doing everything as I should! Thanks!
Click to expand...
the reason she had this thought is that some of the optional rites (different ceremonies celebrated along the way to help strengthen and suport you) include minor exorcisms, which are prayers of deliverance from any demonic influence that may be present from some earlier activities in your life, and obviously wicca might very well be one such influence.

We are not talking “The Exorcist” or “Emily Rose” here, but minor exorcisms, which are essentially prayers and blessings.

The more the priest knows about your background the more he and the RCIA team can help you in your journey and meet your specific needs.
 
You are not required to disclose this to your priest in order to join if you are unbaptized since when you are baptized it takes care of your previous sins.

I did practice Wicca for a while and though I was not required to tell my priest, when I had my first sacrament of reconsiliation as a part of RCIA I confessed it anyway.
 
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