When converting to Catholic, why do they ask if you belonged to another religion?

Question

The Roman Catholic church believes only in itself, and that all other religions are wrong.

When becoming a Catholic, they seem to have a "special ordeal" on the paperwork about obtaining history of your former beliefs. So why all the bother when another religion means nothing to them anyway?

It is easier to just say you have always been Athiest and get the process over with.

Oh, they ask if your baptised.
Why does that mean anything to them if were done by another religion?

Answer 1

I'm not sure, I'm not Catholic so I wouldn't know...

Answer 2

Not quite: The Catholic Church believes all Truth is God's Truth, and that many religions teach at least some of God's Truth. It is not correct to claim the Catholic Church believes every other religion to be "wrong". Rather, it would be more accurate to claim the others are not entirely right.

The "ordeal" and "bother" exemplifies how important a conversion is to the Catholic Church. Perhaps you under-estimate the importance of conversion into the Catholic Church?

Depending on your definition of the term "easy", yes it may very well be easier to claim athiesm. However, it would not be a wise claim.

Answer 3

I'm a convert, and worked for Archdiocesean office in a very large city and I worked particularly with RCIA directors throughout the diocese. I believe you are sorely mistaken in this 'special ordeal', there is nothing of the sort. We don't care what your faith belief/practice was before your interest in Catholicism unless it plays a part in assistance to the possible convert. If it is possible and feasible we do 'hook' you up with a fellow convert to sponsor you, but that only occurs if/when that knowledge is known to us, and frankly it isn't.

In regards to baptism, there are several churches that do not offer valid baptisms, Mormons and Jehovah Witnesses in particular; people from those faiths have to be baptized because they do not use the correct formulae or correct usage/terminology in regards to a One Truine God "God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit". I'm sure there may be others but those are the two I'm familiar with due to my work.

About your statement that the RCC believes only in itself and that other religions are wrong, yes. However other faith beliefs DO have truths in them, just not the whole truth. What does that have to do with anything? Sorry I must be missing something.

If you are converting to the Catholic Church, welcome Home!

Many blessings to you

Answer 4

We need to know if a convert has been baptized because, as we state in the Nicene Creed, we believe in ONE baptism.

That means that once you are baptized, you cannot be baptized again. We honor all mainstream Christian baptisms, as long as the baptism was done with flowing water, and the words, " I baptize you in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."

I would like to note that many other churches do NOT honor Cahtolic baptism. I have heard of many cases where Cahtolics were 're-baptized.' Catholics do not do this because it goes against Christian belief.

If a previous baptism could have occurred, but there is no documentation- or the validity is quesitoned for some reason...then a CONDITIONAL baptism is done- " If you are not already baptized, I baptize you in the Name of the Father...etc."

Whether you are already validly baptized affects the rest of your sacramental preparation.

Also- we need to know where the baptism occurred because the church of baptism is the church that keeps track of all Sacraments you have received. All other Sacraments are sent to that church for recording.

Answer 5

That's not correct to say that the Catholic Church only believes in itself. The Catholic Church recognized my baptism, catechism, and marriage in another church. The conversion to Catholicism was, therefore, rather easy. The reason for this process you speak of is to determine how far along you are in your relationship to God. A state of grace is the goal and it is not until you have reached the state of grace that you take part in the Eucharist. I must emphasize that the Catholic church does not reject other forms of Christianity.

Answer 6

Hi Mr. Spin,

A couple people here have almost answered your question, but not quite. The church asks you about your previous affiliation because it wants to ascertain the "Efficacy" of your baptism.

The Church teaches that people must have been baptised. But it does not recognize the Christian nature of many groups. For example, if you convert from the Lutheran faith, you will not have to be re-baptised, as the Roman Catholic Church recognizes the efficacy (meaning -- genuinely Christian nature) of the Lutheran faith. However, if you convert from the Mormon faith, you must be re-baptised, as the Church does not recognize the Mormon church (Later Day Saints) as Christian. There are many faiths which are not recognized as "Christian" by the Roman Catholic Church; and that's why they ask.

Hope this answer helps. Cheers, mate.

Answer 7

I converted to Catholicism in 1999, and I don't remember any "special ordeal" regarding my former beliefs. Obviously, the Church needs to know whether or not you have been validly baptized, so an inquiry is made regarding that.

Answer 8

+ One Baptism +

Jesus said, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation. He who believes and is baptized will be saved." (Mark 16:15-16)

The Catholic Church believes that you can only be saved once and therefore should only be baptized once.

The Nicene Creed states, "We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins."

The Catholic Church recognizes the baptism of anyone who was baptized with water and the words, "[Name], I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."

http://www.nccbuscc.org/catechism/text/pt2sect2.htm#art1

+ Non-Catholic Christian Churches +

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states,

Furthermore, many elements of sanctification and of truth are found outside the visible confines of the Catholic Church: the written Word of God; the life of grace; faith, hope, and charity, with the other interior gifts of the Holy Spirit, as well as visible elements.

Christ's Spirit uses these Churches and ecclesial communities as means of salvation, whose power derives from the fullness of grace and truth that Christ has entrusted to the Catholic Church.

All these blessings come from Christ and lead to him.

http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt1sect2chpt3art9p3.htm#819

+ With love in Christ.

Answer 9

There's only one Christian baptism per customer.

Anyone who's already been baptized in an authentic Christian denomination, using water and the approved form, is not to be baptized again.

God is very particular about certain things, and so is his true church.

As for your understanding of Catholic doctrine ... you're all wet.

Answer 10

Probably to get information on you.

Most churches keep their members catalogued.

It was most likely to find out if you have received any of the sacraments holy to Catholics (baptism, catechism, confirmation, marraige, etc).

It's not bad, they're just trying to see what point you're at so that they can know what pledges you have made and where to start.

Answer 11

No they just want to know what kind of god you serve now so they can make a saint to take it's place and get your dollar bills.