Confusion

Hi all, new member here.

I'm currently planning to receive the sacrament of baptism, and therefore my nearby cathedral would naturally be the easiest choice.

However, during the RCIA process, I was rather unnerved when the RCIA director (who would be conducting baptisms) mentioned that he did not feel that it was required for anyone to believe that the way to redemption was through Christ, mentioning that he was of the opinion that those from other faiths who had been considerably exposed to Christianity (but rejected it) could be saved. Surely this is a case of totally unsound doctrine? Whilst it would be more convenient for me to attend locally, I can't help but feel that it is wiser to seek a director who holds to sound doctrine?

Make no mistake, whilst I would love to believe that absolutely all will be saved, I do not, and so I seem to be "at odds" with my director from a scriptural point of view, which is less than ideal for someone seeking thorough direction.

I have recently sought RCIA at another cathedral (about an hour away), but have been told that I should stay local, unless I can provide a reason for why I am not attending locally. Whilst I feel the urge to explain my reservations about my local RCIA director, the idea of "naming and shaming" does not appeal to me in the slightest, and so I'm slightly confused about which direction I should take.

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

That is hard. I would first pray, then make an appointment with a priest you can tell is good and faithful, and tell him everything you said here, including your hesitancy to name anyone. Ask his advice on what to do, then do that, with a clear conscience. God speaks through His faithful priests.

I will be praying for you! It is so good to see people coming to the true Faith even in the midst of so much confusion. It is an encouragement that yes, the Truth is still here, and God is still in charge. God bless you!

 

Is your RCIA director a priest? You say he will be conducting baptisms. I believe only a priest or deacon can baptise. If he is not a priest then you have a "situation" and I would contact your bishop.

 

Welcome to our Heavenly Mother Mary's forum, may you continue to grow in the faith.

Both PurpleFlower and AED are pointing you in the correct direction.
Your post set off alarm bells in my head, take it as nudge from one greater than all of us of us put together.
When Our Lord Jesus set up his One Holy Catholic and Apostolic church he didn't tell his apostles that it would be okay to go and spread 33,000 versions of his One Truth. Not sure where this person gets his doctrine from.
You are correct in your concerns, follow the advice from PurpleFlower and AED. Maybe others can offer more information.

 

rjs,

I thank God that He is drawing you into the bosom of the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. Sadly, among both clergy and laity are those who have bought into the idea that sincerity of belief trumps content of belief. You will find this in all Christians circles, unfortunately. Keep your eye on the Pearl of great price, which is the Lord Jesus and His Spouse, the Catholic Church. All the graces and all Truth are found in Her because She is the One Bride. There have been from the beginning those who have betrayed Her and gone their own way, even among the clergy. Paul stated this himself:

Acts 20: 26 Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of any of you. 27 For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God. 28 Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. 29 I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. 30 Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. 31 So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.

So for the time being, I recommend you remain on the path and process which God has placed you. When you have been anointed and confirmed and enter into Her Bosom, then seek out a parish which best adheres to the Faith and Liturgy. This tension you are experiencing is part of all of our lives. But it is within the Catholic Church alone, that all graces are made available for us to wage war on the enemy, the devil! Welcome!

Safe in the Refuge of the Immaculate Heart and the Barque of Peter!

 

Welcome to the MoG forum rjs, we are very happy you are here. You have received some very wise advise here, so I don’t think I can really add to it, other than to say that remember this, confusion comes from the evil one who is working to discourage you from the path Our Lord has called you to be on. So pray and give it to Our Lord, and ask Our Blessed Mother to guide you. I will pray for you this morning at Holy Hour rjs. We have many prayer warriors on the forum, so don’t ever hesitate to ask for prayers.

 

Be honest and straight forward.

The original opinion was totally appalling. You should not be afraid to say so.

The problem is not that folks are speaking out but that they are not speaking out at all.

Of course you are just at an early stage in your conversion , I understand your reticense.

Maybe further on you might understand the need, not so much as to wag a finger gently as to render a good solid kick to the cojones.

Repeated and forceful kicks to the cojones...and perhaps a few swipes to the skull with a base ball bat.

 

First off, welcome! Second, oh my goodness! I can't believe your RCIA director would tell you that, but actually I can believe it...diabolical disorientation is running amok and we unfortunately have even bishops leading folks astray with nonsense like this director told you. Of course redemption is only through Christ, there is no other way!

I echo what Padraig said, people are afraid to speak the Truth. But Be Not Afraid! Reject teachings like that but don't let it scare you off from the True Church, there are many false teachings going on within our Church, just as there is in our world. But hold fast to Truth, if you have the option to move to another RCIA program I would highly recommend you do so. Mabye you can approach a neighboring parish and share the story without naming this RCIA director or the parish they're at, and see if they will let you pick up where you left off so you can keep going in the program.

I will pray for your fortitude and for your charity in handling this, God bless!

 

I must run, not much time. What a great conversion. Congrats. Thank God.
My RCIA was shoddy too.
Perhaps there is an FSSP or SSPX parish that could provide a sound RCIA?

 

No, not an SSPX parish. They are not canonically connected to the Catholic Church. The FSSP is connected to the Catholic Church.