Standardizing RCIA?

[GreyRabbit]

Some time ago, there was a post regarding the material of RCIA, and how some things got taught here but not there, some subjects were delved in too much or not enough, things like that. In an oooold post, someone had provided this link

The Association for Catechumenal Ministry

for someone who was needing/wanting materials to begin an RCIA class for their parish. What I’m wondering is, why is there no standard guidelines like the above for teaching RCIA? It seemed the link provided excellent material, and yet, there’s no standard–or is there actually one but it’s not being followed because of personal views? Is it because it’s mostly made up of volunteers, or because only some places require some kind of certification while others don’t? Is it because there wouldn’t be any way of checking to see if the standards are being followed?

Who is in charge of RCIA as a whole? Is there some sort of council that overlooks this part? Is it the group that’s in the link who’s in charge?

If the country/government can make schools have standards, if the country/gov can make teachers go through some type of training and certification, if the country/gov is able to find a way to see if the standards are being met, why can’t the Church, who ought to be or is, just as organized? Could jobs be possibly created by having some people be the auditors or whatever you call them?

Thanks! I know it’s kinda long, but I’ve been wondering for awhile now!

And actually, I wonder the same thing about Pre-Cana classes…

Cheers!
-Grey

 

[DaveBj]

My RCIA classes were very unsatisfactory, because 1) the material was presented in a very hap-hazard fashion; 2) I had already been a committed Christian for several decades; and, 3) I had already done my research on the Catholic Church. I could probably have taught RCIA.

Standardization is a good idea, but good luck on implementing that!

 

[rfournier103]

My fiancee almost quit RCIA a couple of times because of it’s haphazard “organization”. The only reason she finished is because a VERY knowledgeable priest took over the class and was able to answer her questions and bring the class under control.

Standardization would be a fantastic idea, IF the curriculum was good, and not like our CCD classes. I think the CCD program needs a serious overhaul, too.

I think the people that teach RCIA need training, and need to be Biblically literate. If Evengelicals are flocking to the Church, we need people who know the Bible. Either that, or we need priests to do it. I know they’re overworked, but this is important, and in general, I don’t think many (not all) of the lay people are cutting the mustard.

I honestly think that we lose as many people as we gain BECAUSE of RCIA. One kid quit on day one because it was just a circus and the lay-people running the class were totally disorganized and didn’t even know where to start. Maybe he’ll come back, maybe he won’t; but for a Church that has rules for EVERYTHING, I am amazed that RCIA is so disorganized…

After all, is THIS what we want peoples’ impression about Catholicism to be?

 

[Kal2012]

I tend to feel the same way about my RCIA class.

I think a lot of it has to do with who is teaching the class, not necessarily what is being taught. It also depends on the teaching style of the person leading the class. Some people are more Q/A and others prefer a lecture style.

For instance, my class (for some reason) spent a lot of time talking about the priest abuse/sex scandal and quite frankly, I found it really annoying. However, I completely understand why the director felt that we should spend a lot of time on it. So, while I may not have needed the lengthy discussion about priest/child sexual abuse, there might have been someone else in the room who may have benefited from the conversation.

That said, I did like that the instructor had the flexibility to focus on things that were of interest to the class instead of having a strict program that had to be followed, regardless of what the class was interested in learning about.

Also, if you attend a conservative parish then the way the material is presented is inherently going to be different than if you attend the Liberal parish next door.

I don’t think it would benefit anyone to standardize RCIA, if we can’t even manage to get our priests and parishes on the same page in the first place. Every town has the conservative parish and the liberal parish and everyone knows that they teach the same principles differently. To use a (really bad, perhaps) political analogy, for every “Rick Santorum” Catholic, there’s a “Nancy Pelosi” Catholic. I don’t know how you’d begin to standardize RCIA w/that large of a gap in basic Catholic teaching.

I’m also not sure how you’d go about paying people to “enforce” RCIA standards given that a lot of parishes are merging because they don’t have the cash flow to begin with.

 

[GreyRabbit]

@Kal: Yea…I was thinking that some of it be standardized, not necessarily the entire curriculum. So that room is there for flexibility in going more in depth in what people want to hear. But that there could be a standard in the sense of at least core teachings be covered or something.

But you’re right…conservatives vs. librals… siiiiiiiigh

 

[commenter]

The people who developed the RCIA model were reacting against what they thought was too much in Catholicism on doctrine, and not enough on personal growth. A few decades ago they hardened their position into a model, based on “process” (not “content”). In one nearby parish, a volunteer brought in copies of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and passed out to the participants. The sister in charge gathered up all the copies, and gave them back to him, saying they weren’t ready for that. (They never did get Catechisms).

For better and worse, the model is like renewal seminars of the 1970s- it’s not enough to learn doctrine, but what do you feel about it? Over time, there was less and less doctrine, and presented as options, not as universal truths for all Christians. Concepts like obedience, or the supernatural part of Catholicism, were omitted.

There was extreme emphasis on community, both in the group, and as parish. In the group I helped out in, there was more focus on this PARTICULAR faith community, not entering the Catholic FAITH. It was implied that people who continue to “journey” on faith and morals are more mature than people who hold to fixed doctrinal and moral dogmas.

I have seen almost a fanatic attachment to one, specific model - “process” - so that the model takes priority over the Catechism, and over papal encyclicals. Archbishop Lori, and others, have been addressing the need for improvements. Locally, some are doing the process model, other parishes a doctrinal content model.

RCIA is one of those areas where Specialists have developed, some of whom resist influence from the pastor, bishop, or pope, kind of a “church within the Church”. It’s hard to standardize, because people claim only Specialists understand the Model.

 

[Joe_5859]

The Church very much follows the principle of subsidiarity: that which can be resolved at the lowest level aught to be resolved at the lowest level.

You’re not going to find one size that will fit all with regards to RCIA. What works for a small rural parish with two people going through RCIA is not going to work for a large urban parish with one hundred people going through RCIA.

It can even change in a parish from year to year. You’re going to do things differently if the people going through RCIA that year have zero background versus them being former Protestant clergy who studied their way into the Catholic faith over the past 5 years.

It’s really up to the local bishop. There is usually someone in charge of RCIA at the diocesan level who will issue guidelines (approved by the bishop) with regards to what the parishes in the diocese ought to be doing. If you’re looking on behalf of your parish, that’s where I would begin my search.

Even the ACM materials aren’t all that set in stone. They give ~60 lesson plans and 100+ handouts and you piece it together to fit your parish’s needs.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

What I’m wondering is, why is there no standard guidelines like the above for teaching RCIA?

There is a standard. It’s called the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. The universal Church has approved it and adopted it.

You are not talking about RCIA as the Church envisions it. You are talking about one piece of the Rite, what is referred to as “a suitable catechesis.” And it goes along with other aspects such as an apprenticeship in the Christian way of life, an appreciation of liturgy, and integration into the Christian community.

RCIA is designed to form Christian Catholics. That doesn’t necessarily mean they can spout facts at the drop of a hat. Instead it means that they have the basics – and the plan is that they, like all Christians, continue their formation for a lifetime. It also means that they have developed or are developing a life of prayer and service with their fellow Christians.

All these aspects are personal and individual. They don’t lend themselves to some kind of standardized test.

 

[commenter]

The Church very much follows the principle of subsidiarity: that which can be resolved at the lowest level aught to be resolved at the lowest level.

You’re not going to find one size that will fit all with regards to RCIA. What works for a small rural parish with two people going through RCIA is not going to work for a large urban parish with one hundred people going through RCIA.

It can even change in a parish from year to year. You’re going to do things differently if the people going through RCIA that year have zero background versus them being former Protestant clergy who studied their way into the Catholic faith over the past 5 years.

It’s really up to the local bishop. There is usually someone in charge of RCIA at the diocesan level who will issue guidelines (approved by the bishop) with regards to what the parishes in the diocese ought to be doing. If you’re looking on behalf of your parish, that’s where I would begin my search.

Even the ACM materials aren’t all that set in stone. They give ~60 lesson plans and 100+ handouts and you piece it together to fit your parish’s needs.

The content of what gets taught is not decided at the lowest level, but based on universal truths. Start with the Catechism of the Catholic Church, adapting to your audience the method, but not content. Avoid any materials that imply that it is the individual or the community that decides which doctrinal or moral positions are currently true or relevant. Eliminate any materials that imply:

We need to take ownership of our faith;
Which doctrines are really true for me, right now?; what values am I comfortable with?
The Church, at present, is not ready to ordain women, not ready to accept contraception;
We have to be patient with the Church; it, too, is on a journey, in process of accepting new truths, open to modern American culture;
We need a faith that will endure, provide us with meaning; (as opposed to basing on truths)
Nothing is absolutely true or false, right or wrong; everything is relative to where you are, and what year it is. We need to rely on our personal values.
The basis of morality is how my actions affect other people (as opposed to revealed truths).

 

[kkollwitz]

Re standardization, RCIA in Seattle is likely to be be way different from RCIA in the Bible-Belt, because the culture is so different. Back in 1999, my wife and I made our own RCIA curriculum based on who was likely to attend it in our fundamentalist-evangelical city:

newevangelizers.com/blog/2012/11/08/new-evangelization-1999/

I imagine all RCIA programs adjust to the local faith climate.

 

[1ke]

What I’m wondering is, why is there no standard guidelines like the above for teaching RCIA?

The RCIA is not catechesis. The Rites are a series of liturgical actions that prepare catechumens and candidates for the sacraments.

Catechesis is one aspect of the process of forming catechumens and candidates. Catechesis is the purview of the bishop. Always has been, always will be. Therefore, it will take whatever form he deems appropriate in his diocese.

It seemed the link provided excellent material, and yet, there’s no standard–

Yes, they do have good materials, and others do as well.

or is there actually one but it’s not being followed because of personal views?

The Church is not a factory and people are not widgets.

Who is in charge of RCIA as a whole?

Again, RCIA is a group of liturgical Rites. The Rites come from the same place as all liturgy, from the Vatican via (name removed by moderator)ut from various congregations of the curia and from the bishops.

Catechesis is not RCIA and catechesis comes from the bishop.

Is there some sort of council that overlooks this part? Is it the group that’s in the link who’s in charge?

Nope.

If the country/government can make schools have standards, if the country/gov can make teachers go through some type of training and certification, if the country/gov is able to find a way to see if the standards are being met, why can’t the Church, who ought to be or is, just as organized? Could jobs be possibly created by having some people be the auditors or whatever you call them?

I think this is, fundamentally, a misunderstanding about who the bishop is and who the Church is. Bishops cannot and do not tell other bishops what to do in their diocese.

So, no.

 

[quiet52]

The people who developed the RCIA model were reacting against what they thought was too much in Catholicism on doctrine, and not enough on personal growth…There was extreme emphasis on community, both in the group, and as parish. In the group I helped out in, there was more focus on this PARTICULAR faith community, not entering the Catholic FAITH. It was implied that people who continue to “journey” on faith and morals are more mature than people who hold to fixed doctrinal and moral dogmas.

You’ve made several generalizations about RCIA. What might have transpired in your particular parish does not represent what goes on in the universal Church.

 

[quiet52]

Some time ago, there was a post regarding the material of RCIA, and how some things got taught here but not there, some subjects were delved in too much or not enough, things like that. In an oooold post, someone had provided this link

The Association for Catechumenal Ministry

for someone who was needing/wanting materials to begin an RCIA class for their parish. What I’m wondering is, why is there no standard guidelines like the above for teaching RCIA? It seemed the link provided excellent material, and yet, there’s no standard–or is there actually one but it’s not being followed because of personal views? Is it because it’s mostly made up of volunteers, or because only some places require some kind of certification while others don’t? Is it because there wouldn’t be any way of checking to see if the standards are being followed?

There is a variety of resources to teach the faith, and the one you listed in your post, for RCIA, is a very good one. I appreciate its well-organized and comprehensive coverage of faith topics and that it allows flexibility on the part of the catechists. But in passing on the faith, we need to consider the needs of those being catechized, as well as allow for creativity among the catechists. There is no “one size fits all” approach.

The Church’s “standard” for catechesis, including pre-evangelization and initiatory catechesis, is provided in a document issued by the Vatican’s Congregation for the Clergy:
General Directory for Catechesis (1997)
vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cclergy/documents/rc_con_ccatheduc_doc_17041998_directory-for-catechesis_en.html

Diversity of methods in catechesis

1. The Church, in transmitting the faith, does not have a particular method nor any single method. Rather, she discerns contemporary methods in the light of the pedagogy of God and uses with liberty “everything that is true, everything that is noble, everything that is good and pure, everything that we love and honour and everything that can be thought virtuous or worthy of praise” (Phil 4:8). In short, she assumes those methods which are not contrary to the Gospel and places them at its service. This is amply confirmed in the Church’s history. Many charisms of service of the word have given rise to various methodological directions. Hence, the “variety of methods is a sign of life and richness” as well as a demonstration of respect for those to whom catechesis is addressed. Such variety is required by “the age and the intellectual development of Christians, their degree of ecclesial and spiritual maturity and many other personal circumstances”.(2) Catechetical methodology has the simple objective of education in the faith. It avails of the pedagogical sciences and of communication, as applied to catechesis, while also taking account of the numerous and notable acquisitions of contemporary catechesis.

Re: RCIA / initiatory catechesis, see sections 51, 61-68, 88-91, 256.

"…This comprehensive formation includes more than instruction: it is an apprenticeship of the entire Christian life, it is a “complete Christian initiation”, (204) which promotes an authentic following of Christ, focused on his Person; it implies education in knowledge of the faith and in the life of faith, in such a manner that the entire person, at his deepest levels, feels enriched by the word of God; it helps the disciple of Christ to transform the old man in order to assume his baptismal responsibilities and to profess the faith from the “heart”; (205)…As it is formation for the Christian life it comprises but surpasses mere instruction.

 

[GreyRabbit]

All righty. I was just wondering/curious.

Thank you all for taking the time to reply!! I appreciate it!

-Grey

 

[commenter]

Some posters rightly said the RCIA involves much more than communicating doctrine. But that is the part that has drawn the attention of many, including bishops.

The more common RCIA model reflects the priorities of the 1970s. It does not benefit from the Catechism of the Catholic Church, or the teaching of John Paul and Benedict. The Church has learned a great deal since the 1970s, of the role of doctrine for an individual and parish, or the impact of doctrinal ignorance in contemporary American life.

In my diocese, most parishes still use the 1970s model, a/k/a the “process”. A few parishes use one based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church. The newer model takes into account the insights of the 1970s, plus developments in the Church and society since the earlier model was made, both good and bad.

I’m not attacking the “process” model, just pointing out there are alternatives.

 

[jmcrae]

Some time ago, there was a post regarding the material of RCIA, and how some things got taught here but not there, some subjects were delved in too much or not enough, things like that. In an oooold post, someone had provided this link

The Association for Catechumenal Ministry

for someone who was needing/wanting materials to begin an RCIA class for their parish. What I’m wondering is, why is there no standard guidelines like the above for teaching RCIA? It seemed the link provided excellent material, and yet, there’s no standard–or is there actually one but it’s not being followed because of personal views? Is it because it’s mostly made up of volunteers, or because only some places require some kind of certification while others don’t? Is it because there wouldn’t be any way of checking to see if the standards are being followed?

Who is in charge of RCIA as a whole? Is there some sort of council that overlooks this part? Is it the group that’s in the link who’s in charge?

If the country/government can make schools have standards, if the country/gov can make teachers go through some type of training and certification, if the country/gov is able to find a way to see if the standards are being met, why can’t the Church, who ought to be or is, just as organized? Could jobs be possibly created by having some people be the auditors or whatever you call them?

Thanks! I know it’s kinda long, but I’ve been wondering for awhile now!

And actually, I wonder the same thing about Pre-Cana classes…

Cheers!
-Grey

There will never be that kind of standardization, for the simple reason that every group of RCIA candidates is different, and individuals have different needs.

RCIA Catechists are supposed to be qualified with Catechetical certification at the Diocesan level, but not everyone knows they are supposed to do that, and not every priest encourages it. Many priests are just glad to have any volunteers, and don’t want to “spook” them by mentioning the requirements.

 

[commenter]

When parishes use the “process” model, developed in the 1970s, standardization is not possible. The leaders have more room to present their own priorities, so in that sense, there might be some standardization within the group; but this group might be different from that other group.

When parishes use a more recently developed “content” model of RCIA, the Catechism of the Catholic Church is the standard. There is less room for group leaders to present their own priorities.

The problem is that in many parishes the Catechism sits undisturbed on a shelf somewhere, rather than in the hands of the catechumens. Read what JP II and Benedict wrote about the Catechism - not that it should be admired, but whether it should actually be read. Ask yourself if there is any more appropriate purpose for the Catechism - for reading, not admiring - besides the RCIA.

 

[quiet52]

Some posters rightly said the RCIA involves much more than communicating doctrine. But that is the part that has drawn the attention of many, including bishops.

The more common RCIA model reflects the priorities of the 1970s. It does not benefit from the Catechism of the Catholic Church, or the teaching of John Paul and Benedict. The Church has learned a great deal since the 1970s, of the role of doctrine for an individual and parish, or the impact of doctrinal ignorance in contemporary American life.

In my diocese, most parishes still use the 1970s model, a/k/a the “process”. A few parishes use one based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church. The newer model takes into account the insights of the 1970s, plus developments in the Church and society since the earlier model was made, both good and bad.

I’m not attacking the “process” model, just pointing out there are alternatives.

commenter, I think your depiction of the RCIA “process” is inaccurate, or at least over-generalized. Again, your experiences are not universal.

A sound RCIA process does not exclude the Catechism or doctrine. It would include the liturgical, pastoral and catechetical dimensions, with the focus on ongoing conversion in Christ.

Many parishes provide Bibles and Catechisms to their RCIA participants.

Here is something from the Association for Catechumenal Ministry:

The Standard of Teaching: Catechesis in the RCIA Catechumenate Period
dioceseofduluth.planetsg.com/cmanager/File/Catechesis/4.%20catechesis_in_the_Cat.pdf

(additional articles: dioceseduluth.org/index.php?PageID=246&QryParentID=57)

 

[familyof4]

The Church very much follows the principle of subsidiarity: that which can be resolved at the lowest level aught to be resolved at the lowest level.

You’re not going to find one size that will fit all with regards to RCIA. What works for a small rural parish with two people going through RCIA is not going to work for a large urban parish with one hundred people going through RCIA.

It can even change in a parish from year to year. You’re going to do things differently if the people going through RCIA that year have zero background versus them being former Protestant clergy who studied their way into the Catholic faith over the past 5 years.

It’s really up to the local bishop. There is usually someone in charge of RCIA at the diocesan level who will issue guidelines (approved by the bishop) with regards to what the parishes in the diocese ought to be doing. If you’re looking on behalf of your parish, that’s where I would begin my search.

Even the ACM materials aren’t all that set in stone. They give ~60 lesson plans and 100+ handouts and you piece it together to fit your parish’s needs.

Exactly. Our parish uses the ACM materials, and they’re wonderful. RCIA is a process, not an academic lesson plan. Their is an understanding that along with the material being taught to satisfy the intellect, there is supposed to be an ongoing conversion process, along with the various rites, minor exorcisms, blessings etc. Done right, RCIA is an amazing journey, harkening back to the early church, and the process by which they received people in before the ban on Christianity was lifted.

If any of you have watched the videos at the ACM website (I think they’re helpful), there is a lot of information to help the person who is constructing the RCIA program to create a program that is both systemic and organic. Each lesson is to be based on the hierarchy of truths, to balance the pastoral, liturgical and catechetical necessities of the program.

It can’t be taught like a survey course, it is much more than dotting a few i’s or crossing a couple of t’s. It isn’t meant to be a race to the finish line, and a few hoops to jump through, it is meant to be a flowering of graces and a deeper understanding of the beauty of Catholicism. I’ve been teaching for a few years now, and each year I am humbled to be able to share in the faith journey of so many people, coming from such different backgrounds and states of mind/spirit.

having said that, the program is only as good as the team that is assembled to implement it. If your parish is lacking a decent program, or good solid catechists, volunteer. There are never enough people to help out with the various parts of this particular ministry, and it’s a great way to share your faith, and I think you’ll find that you get much more than you give, teaching RCIA is amazing.