RCIA

[anjoh66]

Hi

The RCIA was introduced at vatican II does that mean that prior to that anybody could become catholic without any initiation?

We know that the early church practised RCIA but when and why was it abandoned? And then brought into practise again at Vatican II.

The earliest church didnt practise RCIA, Paul wasnt in any classes and neither was the etiophian who was baptized by Phillipos or Cornelius who was baptized by Peter.

I can understand that during the first century after christ when the faith was spreading to the roman empire, the romans who came from a totally different culture needed the catechesis to be initiated in the church, and it was also a way for the church to see that nobody would bring any pagan heresies into the church.

But today when people come from other christian denominations or at least are being raised in a christian country why should the cathechesis be necessary for them and seems when looking into this forum that sometimes those catechesis are very weak almost teaching heresies to the catechumens.

So the question is when and why was the RCIA abandoned by the church and why was it brought into practise again?

 

[Trishie]

In the interim people were usually given instruction by the local pastor over a period of time. Things were done more privately, with less involvement of the community. It was believed proper that the priest as father and leader of the parish was the right person to correctly advise and catechize a potential convert.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Hi

The RCIA was introduced at vatican II does that mean that prior to that anybody could become catholic without any initiation?

We know that the early church practised RCIA but when and why was it abandoned? And then brought into practise again at Vatican II.

The earliest church didnt practise RCIA, Paul wasnt in any classes and neither was the etiophian who was baptized by Phillipos or Cornelius who was baptized by Peter.

I can understand that during the first century after christ when the faith was spreading to the roman empire, the romans who came from a totally different culture needed the catechesis to be initiated in the church, and it was also a way for the church to see that nobody would bring any pagan heresies into the church.

But today when people come from other christian denominations or at least are being raised in a christian country why should the cathechesis be necessary for them and seems when looking into this forum that sometimes those catechesis are very weak almost teaching heresies to the catechumens.

So the question is when and why was the RCIA abandoned by the church and why was it brought into practise again?

It was “abandoned” when Infant Baptism became more the norm and large numbers of adult Baptisms dropped off. Generally speaking.

Also specifically speaking RCIA is not intended for or required of Christians from other Communities who seek full union with the Catholic Church. It’s purpose is for those who are not Baptized and seek to become Christian.