Would an ex-Catholic need to be baptised again to receive sacraments?

[TC3033]

TC3033:

IMHO, that’s too bad. I think that keeps some people away.

If the idea of having to commit to a period of instruction in a class setting is keeping them away from coming into the Catholic Church, then their desire to come into the Church is less than their desire to appear a certain way.

No offence intended here, but when the commitment is 8 months of what would essentialy be…in large part…an 8 month refresher course that indeed could be a large roadblock.

I’m sorry you feel the need to downplay that.

 

[TheLittleLady]

Private instruction is not limited that “only a priest shalt conduct it”. The priest and lay catechists meet with people, understand where is their level of knowledge and put together a plan for that individual. No cookie cutter -one size fits all.

For some, online may work best using Symbalon on Formed then talking with their sponsor about each episode. Others may need one on one meetings, some will do better with books.

The goal is to meet people where they are.

We live in the South, so, basically, everyone is some sort of Baptist, even the non-baptized!

 

[Horton]

I went through it myself a few years ago, so I guess downplaying it isn’t quite the word I would use. Coming from a protestant faith tradition it was important to learn the difference between the truth in the Catholic Church and what is taught in protestant churches.

Spending 8 months was worth it to come into the Catholic Church. I believe it speaks to the desire to come into full communion with the Church.

 

[catholicconvert2020]

Hello, RCIA is in fact not just for the un-baptized. It is also for people who have been baptized who have never been catechized. I am in RCIA currently and the purpose for RCIA is it for adults who have not received the initiation sacraments of the church (Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation). This can be seen as misleading information for possible converts. Happy Easter!

Blessings,

ARJM

 

[TheLittleLady]

You may find the USCCB article of intrest.

The Rites are for the unbaptized, period. Yes, there are parishes where the Rites of Christian Initiation are not followed. I have seen well catechized baptized non-Catholic Christians be put through the Rite of Elect or the Scrutinies even! These variances do not negate the actual documents from the Vatican.

 

[TC3033]

Coming from a protestant faith tradition it was important to learn the difference between the truth in the Catholic Church and what is taught in protestant churches.

Again, no offence, but if it’s a class about why “we’re right” and they’re wrong…(along with what would be at least a refresher becasue the class would be…theoretically…for those coming in with no Christian background) that doesn’t help. At least in my case.

I believe it speaks to the desire to come into full communion with the Church.

I guess that would be your opinion. I personally would have a difficult time.

 

[TheLittleLady]

Of all of the adult converts I’ve worked with or known, except for those who are only going through the motions to please family before a wedding, the adults have done a great deal of study and often know more about the Catholic Faith than 90% of the folks in Sunday Mass. Going from non-Catholic Christianity to Catholicism is not something a person does on a whim.

 

[catholicconvert2020]

I guess some dioceses prefer their own methods when it comes to RCIA. I also have read this article and it is a good read to help people. Happy Easter.

Blessings,

ARJM

 

[TC3033]

Going from non-Catholic Christianity to Catholicism is not something a person does on a whim.

Agreed

and often know more about the Catholic Faith than 90% of the folks in Sunday Mass.

Also agreed. Although not a convert, I have learned this as well by being the “appointed parent” to attend parent night when we participated in Family Faith Formation. I often was the one at the table answering the questions for the group.

This is a reason I am weary of an 8 month “refresher”.

 

[TheLittleLady]

Move here

 

[Horton]

Again, no offence, but if it’s a class about why “we’re right” and they’re wrong…(along with what would be at least a refresher becasue the class would be…theoretically…for those coming in with no Christian background) that doesn’t help. At least in my case.

Which it is not. Don’t put words in my mouth. Learning the truth of Catholicism and comparing it to what I knew and learned growing up as a protestant. Since you have never participated in any formal instruction for adults it can’t really be a refresher.

 

[TC3033]

Which it is not. Don’t put words in my mouth.

TBH, I’m not sure how else to take the line below…

Coming from a protestant faith tradition it was important to learn the difference between the truth in the Catholic Church and what is taught in protestant churches.

Since you have never participated in any formal instruction for adults it can’t really be a refresher.

Fair enough, but I went through formal instruction WITH adults and was a bit put back at how the parents (teams) always looked to me for answers.

OK…then shoot. If it’s not a refresher:

1st night of RCIA, there’s 12 people. 4 of those people are non-Christians, 5 of which are non-Catholic Christians who we’d call “non-practicing” that are converting for spouse/family becasue their kids are reaching RE age, 1 “kid” converting because his mother-in-law put that stipulation on the wedding and two of us…me and another guy…sitting in the back coming from a strict religious background where we could count the number of times we missed Sunday school and church per year on one hand. Thus, we believe to be pretty theologically sound (like I said, I’ve been in the position to provide Catholic answers to confirmed Catholics).

How is that first class (and future classes) handled in a way it isn’t a refresher for the two of us in the back, since it’s a “one size fits all” program??

 

[poche]

The answer is ‘no.’ Once a person is baptized a permanent change takes place in their soul that nothing can erase. Once you are baptized then you are baptized forever.

 

[Horton]

Horton:

Which it is not. Don’t put words in my mouth.

TBH, I’m not sure how else to take the line below…

Coming from a protestant faith tradition it was important to learn the difference between the truth in the Catholic Church and what is taught in protestant churches.

Which I clarified here. Of course it serves your narrative to act as though I didn’t.

Learning the truth of Catholicism and comparing it to what I knew and learned growing up as a protestant

You can continue to claim your barrier to joining the Church is the length of RCIA. I will continue to claim once someone truly desires to come into communion with the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church, nothing gets in the way, especially pride.

I’m done with this conversation.

 

[TC3033]

Of course it serves your narrative to act as though I didn’t.

I have no narrative, although you can go ahead and claim I do.

You can continue to claim your barrier to joining the Church is the length of RCIA.

I’ve never said it’s my only barrier, but one.

nothing gets in the way, especially pride.

This if fairly insulting.

I’m done with this conversation.

That’s probably a good idea, you have a growing “sharpness” towards my posts.