R.C.I. A. for new Anglicans joining Church?

[Kathryn Ann]

Hi,
I was wondering: Will individual members of Episcopalian churches in the U.S. be required to go through R.C. I. A. as other converts have? I have heard the wonderful news of our welcoming Anglicans into the fold, and just wondered if these "personal ordinariates" will preclude individuals from attending RCIA.
I loved going through the ancient Rite of Initiation of Adults, because there is so much to learn, but I have not heard anything about requirements for U.S. Anglicans and wonder if entire parishes will simply be considered Catholics once their parish makes the decision to enter The Church.
Thank you so much for this website,
Kathryn Ann

[glenconnor]

I hope that they choose to, because I have found RCIA to be such an incredibly rewarding experience.

[JReducation]

If they come over with a group, they will ot have to go through RCIA. Their baptism is already valid and their marriages are valid. They will receive formation through their Anglican Usage parish. They will have to be confirmed, go throug the first confession and first communion. But they will most likely have their first communion en masse. They will also have to make a public profession of faith. However, the RCIA is always open to them as it is to any other convert. Episcopaleans who come as individuals will go through the formal RCIA or RCIT as any other convert. The reason for the difference is that those who come en masse are coming into an ordinariate of their own, with their own rules. Those who come as individuals enter the local diocese and they must conforn to the rules of the local Church.

I hope this helps.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

[Phemie]

A catechized Anglican coming into full communion should not be expected to go through the same type of preparation as an uncatechized person or catechumen. I sincerely hope that they are assessed individually and not made to wait until everyone is ready to have en masse Communion.

[rlg94086]

Originally Posted by Phemie

A catechized Anglican coming into full communion should not be expected to go through the same type of preparation as an uncatechized person or catechumen. I sincerely hope that they are assessed individually and not made to wait until everyone is ready to have en masse Communion.

If I were part of an Anglican community coming into full communion, I would want to go through everything with the rest of the community. Our faith is not just a one-on-one with the Trinity.

[Gerry Hunter]

Originally Posted by Phemie

A catechized Anglican coming into full communion should not be expected to go through the same type of preparation as an uncatechized person or catechumen. I sincerely hope that they are assessed individually and not made to wait until everyone is ready to have en masse Communion.

Well, the whole approach that was made to the Curia was to come to reunion with the Catholic Church as a group. I should think, under those circumstances, that the members of a group that took up this offer would want to proceed as a group. In that context, they could be of service to each other in preparing for full communion.

And nothing in the offer precludes an Anglican who wishes to from being received into the Church as an individual (as it were), and joining a regular diocesan Parish, rather than a parish set up under the Ordinariate.

Blessings,

Gerry

[BernadetteM]

In my families case and others who converted through an AU priest, our children were given lessons from a priest. The priests involved knew that we were all well informed about the Catholilc Church for many years, so we were received and Confirmed without further instruction. I came from a very Anglo Catholic parish and my former pastor is now a Latin Rite priest with a 6000 member congregation.

It will probably be decided by the Ordinariates or the clergy who are going to be ordained whether an adult understands and accepts the fullness of the Catholic Church.

God Bless

Bernadette

[JReducation]

Originally Posted by BernadetteM

In my families case and others who converted through an AU priest, our children were given lessons from a priest. The priests involved knew that we were all well informed about the Catholilc Church for many years, so we were received and Confirmed without further instruction. I came from a very Anglo Catholic parish and my former pastor is now a Latin Rite priest with a 6000 member congregation.

It will probably be decided by the Ordinariates or the clergy who are going to be ordained whether an adult understands and accepts the fullness of the Catholic Church.

God Bless

Bernadette

If you come in as a group, there is no RCIA requirement. There is catechesis on the smaller details.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

[7 Sorrows]

Originally Posted by Phemie

A catechized Anglican coming into full communion should not be expected to go through the same type of preparation as an uncatechized person or catechumen. I sincerely hope that they are assessed individually and not made to wait until everyone is ready to have en masse Communion.

i was baptized and confirmed in the Episcopal church at a young age. when i converted to Catholicism in 2008, i was able to meet one on one with the RCIA instructor and each week for about 6 weeks,she would give me reading material to study and then we would discuss it the following week. when she thought i was ready, i made my first confession and was received into the Church shortly after. however, i am currently sitting in on the RCIA classes at my current church. i had studied a lot about the Catholic church for about 10 years before converting, so i know most of what they are learning, but it is still fun to sit in with a group who are in the process of joining the Catholic church. some were baptized in the Catholic church and never confirmed and others were never baptized.
it is a big group. we are all on our own individual journeys and it is still a big step to make,
so i think that there definitely needs to be some type of preparation.

[Kathryn Ann]

Thank you everyone for your replies to my question:
"RCIA for Anglicans joining Church?"

I am so joyful to learn of the members from Great Britain's Anglican Communion being welcomed into The Church and am reading every internet news item I can find to see how U.S. parishes may also proceed.

I loved and deeply appreciated all my time in R.C. I.A., which included nine months of preparation, meeting once weekly with a large group. Even though my years as an Episcopalian were a good preparation, with some similarities in liturgy, for example, there is always so much to learn. Our parish is fortunate to have an Adult Catholic Education class offered every Sunday. After five years, I'm still amazed at all there is to learn.

It is good to know that new Catholics are always welcome to participate in this ancient rite.

I feel that humility and awe are an integral part of the process of becoming a Catholic, and any time we have the opportunity to learn more, we are awe struck to learn more of Christ's work in the world, the history of His work through the Church and God's great love for us. To become a Catholic is to be humbled by God's love and Presence in the Holy sacraments and to fully realize His universal love for all. How can we ever learn enough about this love?

To see these historic events unfold is truly a blessing. My joyful prayer is that our new brethren know they are welcome to participate in a number of wonderful opportunities: Adult Catholic Education (Adult Sunday school classes), RCIA, and that they know by our actions that they are deeply loved and welcomed by those of us already in the Fold.

Kathryn Ann

[GKC]

It should perhaps be noted that those in Britain who have accepted the Papal offer so far are from the British affiliate of the Traditional Anglican Communion, and not part of the Church of England, or the official Anglican Communion.



GKC

Originally Posted by Kathryn Ann

Thank you everyone for your replies to my question:
"RCIA for Anglicans joining Church?"

I am so joyful to learn of the members from Great Britain's Anglican Communion being welcomed into The Church and am reading every internet news item I can find to see how U.S. parishes may also proceed.

I loved and deeply appreciated all my time in R.C. I.A., which included nine months of preparation, meeting once weekly with a large group. Even though my years as an Episcopalian were a good preparation, with some similarities in liturgy, for example, there is always so much to learn. Our parish is fortunate to have an Adult Catholic Education class offered every Sunday. After five years, I'm still amazed at all there is to learn.

It is good to know that new Catholics are always welcome to participate in this ancient rite.

I feel that humility and awe are an integral part of the process of becoming a Catholic, and any time we have the opportunity to learn more, we are awe struck to learn more of Christ's work in the world, the history of His work through the Church and God's great love for us. To become a Catholic is to be humbled by God's love and Presence in the Holy sacraments and to fully realize His universal love for all. How can we ever learn enough about this love?

To see these historic events unfold is truly a blessing. My joyful prayer is that our new brethren know they are welcome to participate in a number of wonderful opportunities: Adult Catholic Education (Adult Sunday school classes), RCIA, and that they know by our actions that they are deeply loved and welcomed by those of us already in the Fold.

Kathryn Ann

[7 Sorrows]

Originally Posted by GKC

It should perhaps be noted that those in Britain who have accepted the Papal offer so far are from the British affiliate of the Traditional Anglican Communion, and not part of the Church of England, or the official Anglican Communion.



GKC

why is the traditional anglican communion not part of the C of E?

[GKC]

Originally Posted by 7 Sorrows

why is the traditional anglican communion not part of the C of E?

This is a complicated question. I'll give a short answer.

The folks in the Traditional Anglican Communion are part of those (and those who grew from) original groups who left the Episcopal Church/ Anglican Communion beginning around 1978-79, and formed what is called, generically, the Continuing Anglican movement, or the Continuum. Not all of these folks are part of the Traditional Anglican movement, but none of them are part of the official Anglican Communion; that is, part of those who are still in communion with Canterbury.

For many years, the Traditional Anglican Communion (part of the Continuing movement) had expressed a desire, and an intention, if possible, to achieve reunion with the RCC. Long story there. But around 3 years ago, it began to pick up steam. In short, the Vatican's offer last month was primarily a response to the long discussions between it and the Traditional Anglican Communion (not a part of the official Anglican Communion).

The offer is not limited to the Traditional Anglican Communion, but it was a response to it.

Also, no Anglican group is part of the Church of England, aside from provinces, dioceses, etc. The Church of England is part of the Anglican Communion, along with 37 other independent Anglican jurisdictions, including the Episcopal Church, in this country.

GKC

[7 Sorrows]

Originally Posted by GKC

This is a complicated question. I'll give a short answer.

The folks in the Traditional Anglican Communion are part of those (and those who grew from) original groups who left the Episcopal Church/ Anglican Communion beginning around 1978-79, and formed what is called, generically, the Continuing Anglican movement, or the Continuum. Not all of these folks are part of the Traditional Anglican movement, but none of them are part of the official Anglican Communion; that is, part of those who are still in communion with Canterbury.

For many years, the Traditional Anglican Communion (part of the Continuing movement) had expressed a desire, and an intention, if possible, to achieve reunion with the RCC. Long story there. But around 3 years ago, it began to pick up steam. In short, the Vatican's offer last month was primarily a response to the long discussions between it and the Traditional Anglican Communion (not a part of the official Anglican Communion).

The offer is not limited to the Traditional Anglican Communion, but it was a response to it.

Also, no Anglican group is part of the Church of England, aside from provinces, dioceses, etc. The Church of England is part of the Anglican Communion, along with 37 other independent Anglican jurisdictions, including the Episcopal Church, in this country.

GKC

okay, thanks for the explanation. i guess if i had been following what was happening in the episcopal church at the time of 1978-1979, i might have joined one of these if there would have been on near where i lived. at least, they got the ball rolling.

[NEWCATHOLICJEFF]

It is amazing to me to read through these posts and fell a hint of anger from RCC members or even worse ignorance with regards to liturgical rites and toleration for married priests. These are not new for the RCC. The Eastern rite churches have had their own rites as well as married priests for many years and have been in communion with Rome as well.

It seems to me that like the Prodigal Son we should be shouting for joy for every single returning Anglican. I am still going through the RCIA (Prior Lutheran) and fully understand that RCIA will not be necessary for Anglicans coming into the Church as a result of the Popes offer.

In the end, at least for me, I think the "Catholic" and the catholic church both will be stronger because of this reunification.