RCIA AND THE CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY (37)

Introduction

At the recent Easter Vigil, thousands of adults were initiated into the Church in Malaysia and all over the world. In the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur itself, about 687 persons were baptised. To many, this may seem like just another happening in the Church. However, seen with the eyes of faith, it can be said that God has been doing an amazing thing. Thousands of people have just become members of the Catholic Church.

A springtime for the Church

Since the introduction of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) in Malaysia in the 1980s, a large number of people have journeyed through the initiation process and have become Catholics. It is why the bishops of Peninsular Malaysia once described this phenomenon as a “springtime for the local Church” (HERALD, 18 March, 2001). There is no doubt that the implementation of the RCIA as the formal process of initiating adults is considered one of the most important developments in the Church since the Second Vatican Council.

However, even after all these years, most Catholics are still not aware of the significance of the RCIA and that they have an important role in the process. This is why I made the effort, in the last few articles, to explain the nature and structure of the RCIA, discussing the different periods and steps in the process. Now, I will focus on the crucial aspect of the Christian community’s role in the RCIA.

Therefore, in this and the following series of articles, I will examine the theological and pastoral perspectives on this important subject. In essence, together we will look at what the Church says about the community’s involvement in the catechumenate and how members of the community can become involved in the RCIA. It is hoped that the articles would help create a greater awareness among Catholics about their responsibility for the RCIA and the role they can play in the initiation of new members into the Church.

Where do we start?

We have to begin with the Second Vatical Council. The years prior to and following the Council was a time of change and renewal for the Catholic Church. Among others, the Council presented the image of the Church as the People of God, in which the active participation of all her baptised members - clergy, religious and lay persons - is essential for the life and mission of the Church.

What does Vatican II say?

It was also the Council that directed that the adult catechumenate be re-established in the Church (Sacramentum Concilio, 64). In doing so, it called for the participation of all the baptised. The Vatican II document, Ad gentes, highlights this point:

“This Christian initiation, which takes place during the catechumenate, should not be left entirely to the priests and catechists, but should be the concern of the whole Christian community, especially of the sponsors, so that from the beginning the catechumens will feel that they belong to the people of God” (Ad gentes, 14).

Later, in the decree, Presbyterorum ordinis (PO), the Council Fathers state again the importance of the community’s participation which:

“... ought not merely to promote the care of the faithful within itself but should be imbued with the missionary spirit and smooth the path to Christ for all people. But it must regard as its special charge those under instruction and the newly converted who are gradually educated in knowing and living the Christian life.” (PO, 6).

Therefore, the Council made it clear that members of the Christian community are to participate in the mission of the Church to proclaim the Gospel and make Christ known to those seeking to know him. As part of this mission, the community is to take under its special care those being initiated into the Catholic Church.

What does the RCIA say?

After the Council, the team of experts placed in charge of preparing the liturgical rites of the RCIA injected into the document the Council’s call for the participation of the Christian community:

“The People of God, as represented by the local Church, should understand and show by their concern that the initiation of adults is the responsibility of all the baptised. Therefore, the community must always be fully prepared in the pursuit of its apostolic vocation to give help to those who are searching for Christ. In the various circumstances of daily life, even as in the apostolate, all the followers of Christ have the obligation of spreading the faith according to their abilities.

Hence, the entire community must help the candidates and the catechumens throughout the process of initiation: during the period of precatechumenate, the period of the catechumenate, the period of purification and enlightenment, and the period of postbaptismal catechesis or mystagogy” (RCIA, 9).

With this, it is made clear by the Church that there exists a crucial relationship between the Christian community and the adult catechumenate. Nowhere is this more evident than in the parish, which is considered the most immediate and visible expression of the community in the Church. Within the parish, Catholics are encouraged to participate in the RCIA by accompanying those seeking membership in the Church. Conscious and active participation by the members of the parish community can help those undergoing initiation to grow and mature in their identity as Catholics.

What is different?

The call for community participation in the adult catechumenate presents a drastic shift in the way adults are initiated into the Church. Before the introduction of the RCIA, an adult who wished to become a Catholic was provided with ‘private’ instructions by the parish priest or by someone delegated by him or made to attend an ‘inquiry class’ together with others wishing to becoming Catholics. Once he or she was deemed ‘ready’ to receive the sacraments, the person was baptised. This important sacramental celebration, however, would generally take place in isolation from the rest of the community except for the presence of godparents, friends and family members.

With the RCIA, however, the initiation of adults is now considered a ‘public’ way of initiating people into the Church. Basically, it means the entire Christian community has to be concerned and involved. Both in its General Introduction and in the rites proper, the RCIA document outlines the different ways in which the community should fully and actively involve itself in the initiation process. The involvement begins at the Period of Evangelisation and Precatechumenate and continues throughout the entire catechumenal process right up to the Period of Mystagogy.

In this regard, the Church invites members of the community to “always be fully prepared in the pursuit of its apostolic vocation to give help to those who are searching for Christ” and reminds them that, “all followers of Christ have the obligation of spreading the faith according to their abilities” (RCIA, 9). Note the words: “always be fully prepared…” and “have the obligation…”. These are serious words indeed!

Conclusion

I hope that in this article, I have managed to interest the reader in becoming aware that as a member of the Church, he or she has a responsibility toward the adult initiation process. In the next few articles, I wish to examine in greater detail as to the community’s role in initiating new members into the Church.