Valid Conversion and Confirmation?

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Galijah512

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I have a question regarding the validity of my confirmation/reception into the Catholic Church. I was raised non-Christian, converted and baptized to a non-denominational Church at 18. Was Confirmed in the Episcopal Church and later moved to the Catholic Church.

During this time, I lied about my intentions for RCIA because I didn’t want to wait a full year. I feel and I could argue that I wasn’t fully catechized, and lastly, I am not sure whether I was actually confirmed or received into the Church. The last bit that is concerning to me, is that the Priest was the one who confirmed me and not the Bishop. I am unclear whether the sacrament was valid.

On top of all this, I have been back in an Episcopal Church because I was unclear on the state of my reception/conversion/etc. But I am seeking the Church all the more and possibly the Priesthood.

At the very least my actions in the past were sinful and I am trying to figure out whether I should validly go through the process or what?

I welcome your thoughts, guidance, prayers, and direction.

CJ
 
It is normal for the Priest to have permission to bring adults into the Church. As long as the oil was on your forehead and the words were said, you are validly Confirmed.

I’d suggest you go to Confession as soon as possible, and begin to practice your Faith.
 
Go to your (Catholic) parish priest when you can (during the pandemic you may not be able to), if you really have all these doubts.

But being fully catechized in RCIA class isn’t exactly necessary to be validly confirmed…

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04215b.htm

God bless.
 
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Generally someone who is received into full communion from another Christian denomination are confirmed by the pastor of the parish they join. The rite of reception requires the priest to confirm you at that point.

Your confirmation in the Episcopal Church would not be counted as valid, but it is testimony that you have been catechized. It is unlikely you needed years of catechesis before your reception.
 
Galijah512 said:
During this time, I lied about my intentions for RCIA because I didn’t want to wait a full year. I feel and I could argue that I wasn’t fully catechized, and lastly, I am not sure whether I was actually confirmed or received into the Church. The last bit that is concerning to me, is that the Priest was the one who confirmed me and not the Bishop. I am unclear whether the sacrament was valid.
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The parish office of the Catholic church that you were received in would have the record if you were confirmed or not. If the priest confirmed you (usually during the Easter Vigil Mass), then you were validly confirmed. Again, the parish office will have a record of this if you are in doubt.
 
The Episcopal denomination does not have a valid priesthood ergo they do not have valid sacraments. Protestant “orders” are null and void. C.f. Apostolicae Curae by Pope Leo XIII.
 
Episcopal Baptism, as are many non-Catholic baptism, are almost always valid.

The OP was then received in and Confirmed at a Roman Catholic Church.

Our OP is a non-practicing Catholic
 
Because anyone can baptise. That does not mean that they should but they can. I could have baptised my own children. Their baptisms would be valid but illicit. However, only a bishop can normally confirm. A priest can be an extraordinary minister of confirmation; normally if his bishop authorises him to be so or in certain circumstances laid down in canon law. So when you are baptised in the Episcopal Church you are validly baptised because anyone can baptise. However, Episcopalians do not have valid apostolic succession or sacred ministers so the Catholic Church does not consider their confirmations valid.
 
Although the Church usually requires people to go through RCIA it is not constitutive and having not gone through it has no effect on the validity of your confirmation.

Priests can confirm if given permission to do so by their bishop. Therefore, you should be assured you’re confirmation was valid.

You are a Catholic but one who seems a little confused and not practising as a Catholic. I believe it would be good advice for you to seek counselling from a Catholic spiritual director.
 
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