When is someone a Catholic?

[roemer]

Let us say that X was baptized in a prod church with a valid formula. Let us further suppose that after periods of reading and talking he decides, " I think the Catholic Church is true; I’m going to be a Catholic." So, he decides he accepts whatever the Church teaches, goes to Mass a few times, and goes to Confession, and having made a valid confession, he decides he can go to Communion and does so. Maybe he registers as a parishoner.
Although this is non-standard way of doing it, and although he does not leave a paper trail of his conversion, if he was baptized, and he thinks as a Catholic and he acts like a Catholic, talkss like a Catholic, he is a Catholic.

Now don’t go saying that he should go through an RCIA program or get individual instruction. I’m not talking about what is normal procedure, I’m talking about bare necessities.

As far as I can see X would be a valid Catholic. Any reason why not ?

 

[theMutant]

You have to keep in mind the difference between material and formal membership. Material membership consists of baptism and all of the baptized are members of the Church. However, being “Catholic” involves accepting all that the Church teaches; including the teachings about her authority and the requirement to observe all of her laws.

If X believes all that the Church teaches, then he is bound to follow all of her laws. He may not licitly go to communion or confession because of this. He must go through RCIA (unless his bishop has approved another method for formally entering the Church he could follow instead) because the Church requires formal membership of all the faithful. This is the means the Church has established and we are bound to it.

It is not a good idea for X to start his being Catholic with an act of defiance against the laws of the Church.

 

[mrS4ntA]

Isn’t a formal preparation required (and to be observed by the proper authority) to receive First Holy Communion?

 

[otm]

One might be a bit cautious with the word “formal”. There is some leeway granted to the priest who accepts him or her into the Church. But the Church does have a process by which one validly baptised can join, and if one joins, one needs to follow the process.

Assuming that this hypothetical individual is not aware of the requirements, however, I would say that he is Catholic, subject to proper response if and when he finds out what they are.

 

[roemer]

I cannot find anywhere that it is de Fidei that one must go through a program of acceptance., only that one be baptised and be in communion. You have to know something to agree with it, but beyond the Creed, I don’t think you have to assent to a lot.

When Protestants come into the Church at Easter, they just say that they accept the Church’s teachings, get a handshake and get clapped at. That rite isn’t sacremental; it merely a public statement about the person’s interior condition. by the person and the Church’s public recognition that it accepts that person.

Effectively at Mass, any kid can make his first Communion any time he wants. If he looks old enough, he gets it and all the graces pertaining.

 

[theMutant]

otm:

One might be a bit cautious with the word “formal”.

If it causes confusion, please substitute any word you like. I was using it in the sense I have heard used in different apologetic discussions.

In regard to being a Catholic:

Material = all who are baptized but don’t profess the Catholic Faith.

Formal = all who are baptized and profess the Catholic Faith.

These definitions are not de fide but a fuller explanation would go like this.

All who are baptized are members of the Church even if they don’t profess the Catholic faith. These can be divided into two categories; those who profess the Catholic faith and those who do not.

The baptized who profess the Catholic faith are members in all aspects. I have heard this described as “formal” membership but another word might be “official.”

The baptized who do not profess the Catholic faith are also members of the Catholic Church. Their membership is real because baptism is the Sacrament of initiation into the Church. All grace from the Sacraments flows through the Church and is directed back to the Church and, ultimately, to Christ. However, their membership is only material because they do not profess the Catholic faith. I guess another word that could be used in place of material is “incomplete.”

Additionally, all those who strongly desire to be baptized and join the Catholic Church are members of the Church by virtue of their desire. While they have not yet received the Sacrament of initiation, the Church considers them to already be members because of their desire combined with the Church’s own desire to admit them into the fold. Their membership is material (incomplete) because they lack baptism. The Church teaches that, if they die before receiving baptism, they will receive the grace of baptism because of their desire for it (baptism of desire). Likewise if they are martyred for the faith before being baptized they will receive the same grace (baptism of blood).