Re: Is RCIA too great a barrier of entry into the Church?

Apr 26, '13, 6:16 pm

Lady Love Regular Member   Join Date: May 29, 2012 Location: Maine Posts: 923 Religion: Catholic

Re: Is RCIA too great a barrier of entry into the Church? I've always wondered why it takes so long to become a Catholic. I read in scripture how the apostles spoke of Jesus and many were converted and baptized THAT DAY, by the thousands! They didn't have nine months of study first. They made the choice to enter into relationship with Jesus and the Holy Spirit was given them in Baptism. The Holy Spirit enlightened the new converts and gave them the support they needed to continue on their journey. I would like to see converts immediately Baptized when they have the desire. Then they can continue the journey through the rest of the sacraments.

#32     Apr 26, '13, 7:26 pm

Joannm Regular Member   Join Date: August 3, 2007 Posts: 3,951 Religion: catholic

Re: Is RCIA too great a barrier of entry into the Church? Quote: Originally Posted by Lady Love I've always wondered why it takes so long to become a Catholic. I read in scripture how the apostles spoke of Jesus and many were converted and baptized THAT DAY, by the thousands! They didn't have nine months of study first. They made the choice to enter into relationship with Jesus and the Holy Spirit was given them in Baptism. The Holy Spirit enlightened the new converts and gave them the support they needed to continue on their journey. I would like to see converts immediately Baptized when they have the desire. Then they can continue the journey through the rest of the sacraments. The concept of waiting a long time, sometimes years to become a Christian happened early in the Church. The idea was to make sure that those becoming Christians really and truly understood what they were doing. Many of those baptized without learning about Christ committed apostasy and were excommunicated. Persecutions had a lot to do with that. St. Augustine was a catechumen for years and years before he was baptized. It should be something you really want. Now most of us were baptized as babies. How many of those baptized babies, now adults, are still practicing Catholics? RCIA is a wonderful process and in the many years I have been coordinating RCIA in three different parishes I have seen such beautiful changes in people as they go through the process.

#33     Yesterday, 7:21 am

PJM Senior Member   Join Date: August 31, 2008 Location: Centeral Florida Posts: 8,855 Religion: Informed, practicing RomanCatholic

Re: Is RCIA too great a barrier of entry into the Church? Quote: =Lady Love;10672761]I've always wondered why it takes so long to become a Catholic. I read in scripture how the apostles spoke of Jesus and many were converted and baptized THAT DAY, by the thousands! They didn't have nine months of study first. They made the choice to enter into relationship with Jesus and the Holy Spirit was given them in Baptism. The Holy Spirit enlightened the new converts and gave them the support they needed to continue on their journey. I would like to see converts immediately Baptized when they have the desire. Then they can continue the journey through the rest of the sacraments. Hmmmmm They where Baptpzed and concerted Yes! BUT is that to say they did NOT "have to" be instructed? NO! Certainly they expected to be taught, and where taught, and did so gladly. 'It takes so long to become a catholic" BECAUSE We are some 2,000 years Old Have a GREAT many Sacred Traditions; Doctrines and Dogma's that must be explained and understood as their acceptace is mandated and affirned Freely in the Sacrmanet of Confirmation; and reaffirmed by ALL every easter Season. Confirmation in effect: established a personal Covenant relationship with the Confirmed and Our God. We say: "I DO BELEIVE" withour room to say "except for this or that" __________________ PJM http://working4christ2.wordpress.com Can we partake of God's GLORY and NOT partake of His PASSION? NO! A.B. Fulton Sheen: "The truth is the truth even if nobody believes it, and a lie is still a lie, even if everybody believes it."

#34     Yesterday, 8:25 am

yellow8yellowM Junior Member   Join Date: October 17, 2011 Posts: 283 Religion: Catholic

Re: Is RCIA too great a barrier of entry into the Church? Quote: Originally Posted by DavidFilmer I don't see why converts need to know much more than the typical cradle Catholics sitting in the pews in order to begin participating in the Sacramental life of the Church. I went through RCIA in 2011-12 and have a similar opinion. If somebody believes the basics, assents to the authority of the Church and the Pope, and is knowledgeable enough to know how to act as a Catholic to stay in the state of grace, then they should be allowed entry into the Church. If they cannot do these things then they should stay in RCIA for as long as needed. We wouldn't want them to lie when they profess their faith in baptism or in receiving the Eucharist, etc.

#35     Yesterday, 8:52 am

Contra Mundum Regular Member   Join Date: July 18, 2009 Location: Malaysia (far away from home) Posts: 3,288 Religion: Catholic, latin rite

Re: Is RCIA too great a barrier of entry into the Church? Quote: Originally Posted by DavidFilmer I don't see why converts need to know much more than the typical cradle Catholics sitting in the pews in order to begin participating in the Sacramental life of the Church. I'm not sure it is helpful to see things in this way, given how poorly cathecised many Cradle Catholics are. 6 moths doesn't seem that much to me. I loved RCIA and the months flew by.

#36     Yesterday, 10:57 pm

trevor1055 New Member Book Club Member   Join Date: January 10, 2012 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 82 Religion: Catholic

Re: Is RCIA too great a barrier of entry into the Church? It depends on the individual. For example, my parents came into the Church this past Easter. They went through RCIA at two parishes for a combined total of about 3 years. Frankly, they needed it. On the other hand, before my parents, I came into the Church on a profession of faith. I had spent three years devouring the faith before deciding to convert. Some people need RCIA to learn the faith; others need it as an administrative process of sorts. The Church does say, overall, that formation should not be more than is necessary for any given individual. Recall that in the 1st century, the form of RCIA would take upwards of 9 years. Seriously. Anyway, I trust the Church, the Magisterium, and the Holy Father. If they say go through RCIA, then so be it. In Christ, Trevor

#37     Today, 1:13 am

quiet52 Regular Member   Join Date: June 27, 2007 Posts: 1,528 Religion: Catholic

Re: Is RCIA too great a barrier of entry into the Church? Yesterday I met with a man and his daughter, who became Catholic last year. Since their Initiation, they have had to suffer several tragedies, including the death of their wife/mother. It's been an extremely difficult year of grief and hardship. This man said he was encouraging two friends of his, unbaptized, to attend Mass with him and to consider becoming Catholic. He has been talking to them about God. They asked him how long it takes to be baptized, and were shocked it took so long, that they could be baptized in a week at one of the Protestant churches. My friend said he wasn't sure how to respond to that, but afterwards, realized that even though RCIA was hard for him, he will always be grateful for the process. He said if he had not learned about the faith and become close to Jesus the way he did during RCIA, the faith would not have mattered to him this past year and he would have given in to temptations to give up. It has been prayer, Holy Communion, and Church which have kept him going.

#38     Today, 6:53 am

shaky Regular Member   Join Date: April 25, 2010 Posts: 589 Religion: christian none denominal Converting to Catholic

Re: Is RCIA too great a barrier of entry into the Church? Quote: Originally Posted by PJM Hmmmmm They where Baptpzed and concerted Yes! BUT is that to say they did NOT "have to" be instructed? NO! Certainly they expected to be taught, and where taught, and did so gladly. 'It takes so long to become a catholic" BECAUSE We are some 2,000 years Old Have a GREAT many Sacred Traditions; Doctrines and Dogma's that must be explained and understood as their acceptace is mandated and affirned Freely in the Sacrmanet of Confirmation; and reaffirmed by ALL every easter Season. Confirmation in effect: established a personal Covenant relationship with the Confirmed and Our God. We say: "I DO BELEIVE" withour room to say "except for this or that" When does one have the free gift of the holy spirit Indwelling them to enable them to believe all the long Instruction. Before, at, or after baptism in water ?

#39     Today, 1:01 pm

PJM Senior Member   Join Date: August 31, 2008 Location: Centeral Florida Posts: 8,855 Religion: Informed, practicing RomanCatholic

Re: Is RCIA too great a barrier of entry into the Church? Quote: =shaky;10677861]When does one have the free gift of the holy spirit Indwelling them to enable them to believe all the long Instruction. Before, at, or after baptism in water ? In Christian Baptism ; which can be invalidited by Mortal sin [BUT NOT LOST] as Baptism marks a person "for life". Then again In Catholic Confirmation Which too can be invalidated by Mortal sin. Because God is Perfect; God resides in those who choose freely to Remain with those in the sate of His Grace. __________________ PJM http://working4christ2.wordpress.com Can we partake of God's GLORY and NOT partake of His PASSION? NO! A.B. Fulton Sheen: "The truth is the truth even if nobody believes it, and a lie is still a lie, even if everybody believes it."

#40     Today, 3:25 pm

1patterson Trial Membership   Join Date: April 24, 2013 Posts: 7 Religion: orthodox

Re: Is RCIA too great a barrier of entry into the Church? 1patterson Quote: esus didn't say it ain't supposted to be hard-- he said it was light and easy-- but it is helpful to recognize who the enemy is-- because catholics seem to be trained that it is other bible believers--are the enemy and this is a deception of religion and the devil PJM If, as I understand your position; your implication is that anyone can read and interpret the bible and come to there own [and by that standard alone...the correct understanding], the preponderance of evidence in the number of non-catholic - christian faiths clearlyproves your in error.So does the bible itself. thank you-- but as i recognize the working of the Holy Spirit in -- the Samaritans purse The story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37) gives a clear picture of God's desire for us to help those in desperate need wherever we find them. For 35 years, Samaritan's Purse has followed Christ's command by aiding the world's poor, sick, and suffering. We are an effective means of reaching hurting people in countries around the globe with food, medicine, and other assistance in the Name of Jesus Christ. This, in turn, earns us a hearing for the Gospel, the Good News of eternal life through Jesus Christ. or with --Smith Wigglesworth was born on June 8, 1859 in Menston, Yorkshire, England, to an impoverished family. As a small child, he worked in the fields pulling turnips alongside his mother; he also worked in factories. During his childhood he was illiterate. Nominally a Methodist, he became a born again Christian at the age of eight. His grandmother was a devout Methodist; his parents, John and Martha, were not practicing Christians although they took young Smith to Methodist and Anglican churches on regular occasions. He was confirmed by a Bishop in the Church of England, baptized by immersion in the Baptist Church and had the grounding in Bible teaching in the Plymouth Brethren while learning the plumbing trade as an apprentice from a man in the Brethren movement.[1] or with John G lake John Graham Lake (March 18, 1870 – September 16, 1935), usually known as John G. Lake, was a businessman who became known for his ministry as a missionary, faith healer, and founder of the Apostolic Faith Mission of South Africa. He was influenced by the healing ministry of John Alexander Dowie, and he received the baptism of the Holy Spirit in 1907 in the wake of the Azusa Street Revival. Acts.20: 28 “Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God [SINGULAR] which he obtained with the blood of his own Son.” Luke 10:16 "He who hears you hears me, and he who rejects you rejects me, and he who rejects me rejects him who sent me." PJM -- you don't seem to recognize that the Singular Chuch of Jesus has the Holy Spirit-- and as in romans 10" 8,9,10-- jesus said his sheep hear his voice and follow him-- one only need to read the posting in this forum to see and understand the problem of catholics hearing the direction from the Holy Spirit-- i rarely come across roman catholics that can hear the Holy Spirit-- and i'v been going to Mass for over 50 years-- but fortuitously i am familar with the charismatic roman catholics -- who are a little bit more mature and in those years if have functioned in all 9 gifts of the spirit-- as we all should