Should my friend do RCIA or not?

[Kepha15]

I have a friend who is an evangelical Christian, but who is interested in learning more about the Catholic faith. He is not sure whether he wants to convert, but at this point is only interested in learning more.

Some of his Catholic friends have suggested that he join RCIA, but I’m not sure whether this is a good idea or not. I’ve gone through RCIA once (as a sponsor for my wife), and I seem to remember most of the classes being geared toward those who had already committed to becoming Catholic.

Of course, I would love if my friend were to decide to convert, but I don’t want RCIA to push him away, either, if it’s not really geared toward someone like him. My question, for those who have experienced RCIA, is whether or not you would recommend it to someone who is simply questioning and looking to learn about the Catholic faith, coming from an evangelical background.

I know a lot of it also depends heavily on the specific program. I should mention I live in the Archdiocese of Detroit, so if anyone knows of any good programs out there (besides the obvious one, OLGC), that’s appreciated as well.

 

[CatholicRaven]

I think experiences will vary by parish and instructor.

Generally, though, those I know who have gone through the classes (including my husband and myself) have not felt pressured to become Catholic by the program or those involved (though some felt pressure from other sources). I have also “sat in” on classes as a Catholic (our parish welcomes this), and have only witnessed explanations, discussions, and information about what the Catholic Church teaches, not an expectation or pressure on students to join–especially during the beginning of the program. In our parish, it’s pretty clear that students are expected to spend some time discerning for themselves (hopefully in prayer and with a willingness to follow God’s will) whether they are being called into the Catholic Church, or not.

Towards the end of the program, there will generally be a time for students to declare whether or not they plan to formally enter the Church that year (Rite of Election, I think?). I think students have not really committed to entering the Church until at least that point. Perhaps you’re remembering the classes after that point (since in my experience, sponsors aren’t chosen right at the beginning and often don’t attend those first classes with inquirers and Catechumens)? Or it could be simply the way the program was presented.

There probably are a few instructors out there who assume that students in RCIA are going to enter the Church, and they’d give their instruction from that perspective. However, even if he ends up with an instructor like that, that still doesn’t mean your friend would be obligated to join. As long as he knows that, I think he would be fine. I really doubt anyone’s going to drag him kicking and screaming down the aisle to be unwillingly baptized or confirmed.

Based on my own experiences, I would definitely encourage “inquirers” to speak to a priest, and consider RCIA classes, even if the person was only desiring to learn more about the faith and had no intention of joining the Church.

 

[achmafooma]

As you say, it can vary a lot from parish to parish. I would suggest that you ask your parish’s RCIA director and/or priest to get a feel for how it is set up there.

I coordinate RCIA for my parish, and we make it very clear from the beginning that it’s a no-pressure thing, and we welcome inquirers whether or not they ever intend to become a Catholic.

It does have to be a little ‘one-size-fits-all’ and so, especially as it gets toward the Easter Vigil, we focus a bit more on the final preparation for those receiving sacraments.

In my experience, inquirers who definitely do not intend to convert sometimes drop-out as we get closer. Others – especially those who think they may still convert, but aren’t ready to do so NOW – often continue to attend and soak up the experience as an observer. They are welcome to do either.

In fact, one year we had somebody who went through RCIA, did not feel ready to ‘go through with it,’ and even attended the Easter Vigil as a non-Catholic guest/congregant…and was moved by the Mass itself to convert, and was received into full communion and confirmed several weeks later in a private ceremony.

My point is that we get people in all sorts of different situations, including people who are just curious, and we go out of our way to make sure they don’t feel any pressure from us (though they may feel some from the Holy Spirit, but that happens above my pay-grade ;-)). So at least at our parish, RCIA would probably be the right place for your friend.

Even if your parish is more strongly oriented toward converts, your friend may still be welcome to attend…I would just suggest that you make sure your friend understands why the classes are oriented that way, and make sure the RCIA director and/or priest know where your friend is with regard to the church and know not to make assumptions that might be taken as pressure to convert.

God bless!

 

[marlap2]

I agree with the posters. I teach/facilitate RCIA, and there are several stages.
The first stage called “inquiry” is open to people of all faith traditions, coming home Catholics, and people who are simply curious. There is no individual responsibility or pressure to become Catholics or even carry on.
The second stage, which begins with the “Rite of Acceptance” is an acknowledgement formally by the inquirer that he now is at the point where he’s making a decision to move forward towards receiving the Sacraments of Initiation at Easter.
If the inquirer is not ready to make that decision, in my parish, that is not a reason to stop continuing to go. The year that I became Catholic, there was a nice guy who had been in RCIA for three years. In his third year, he made the decision to participate in the Rite of Acceptance.

May God bless you in your journey with your friend.

 

[Monte_RCMS]

I have taken RCIA several times … just to learn more.

Became very friendly with the teachers and they used me as a sponsor.

 

[Larryk113]

I think experiences will vary by parish and instructor.

Generally, though, those I know who have gone through the classes (including my husband and myself) have not felt pressured to become Catholic by the program or those involved (though some felt pressure from other sources). I have also “sat in” on classes as a Catholic (our parish welcomes this), and have only witnessed explanations, discussions, and information about what the Catholic Church teaches, not an expectation or pressure on students to join–especially during the beginning of the program. In our parish, it’s pretty clear that students are expected to spend some time discerning for themselves (hopefully in prayer and with a willingness to follow God’s will) whether they are being called into the Catholic Church, or not.

Towards the end of the program, there will generally be a time for students to declare whether or not they plan to formally enter the Church that year (Rite of Election, I think?). I think students have not really committed to entering the Church until at least that point. Perhaps you’re remembering the classes after that point (since in my experience, sponsors aren’t chosen right at the beginning and often don’t attend those first classes with inquirers and Catechumens)? Or it could be simply the way the program was presented.

There probably are a few instructors out there who assume that students in RCIA are going to enter the Church, and they’d give their instruction from that perspective. However, even if he ends up with an instructor like that, that still doesn’t mean your friend would be obligated to join. As long as he knows that, I think he would be fine. I really doubt anyone’s going to drag him kicking and screaming down the aisle to be unwillingly baptized or confirmed.

Based on my own experiences, I would definitely encourage “inquirers” to speak to a priest, and consider RCIA classes, even if the person was only desiring to learn more about the faith and had no intention of joining the Church.

This ^^^

 

[pianistclare]

Anyone can go to RCIA.

No one is going to hold their feet to the Easter fire.

 

[atassina]

have your friend watch the Catholicism series. Watch with her and offer your additional commentary