In December 1997 the Secretariat for Evangelization and Missions of the N.C.C.B. sent out 4-page questionnaires (called "Diocesan Information Sheets") to diocesan offices regarding evangelization and the RCIA. The purpose was to compile nationwide information. The mailing included a "Parish Information Sheet" questionnaire if any dioceses wanted to reproduce it and send it to parishes to gather information. The Secretariat requested replies from the dioceses by the end of March 1998, and soon thereafter they received 103 replies, representing a 55 percent response rate.

The diocesan staffs used three methods to fill out the reports. (1) Some reported what they already knew about the parishes. (2) Some sent out the parish questionnaires, then compiled parish data from the responses which came back. (3) Some sent out the parish questionnaire, then used multiple sources of information (including the questionnaire) to make the estimates they put into the report.

In 1999 we analyzed the data from the Diocesan Information Sheet. (We did not look at the data in the parish surveys.) From other information we know that the dioceses which returned the questionnaires tended to be slightly larger than average dioceses (averaging 120 parishes vs. 109 parishes average). Otherwise we have no information about possible biases resulting from the 55 percent rate.

Data from Parish Information Sheets is on file at the Secretariat for Evangelization and Missions. This report first states the main findings, then it shows the responses to all of the specific questions.


Summary

How Many Initiates?
The numbers of initiates last year were reported in three categories of adults and three of children:

	Average per Diocese	Estimated National Total
Adults Number of unbaptized adults fully initiated Number of baptized adults received into the full communion of the Catholic Church Number of baptized Catholic adults completing initiation	204 280 156	32,200 44,200 24,600
Children Number of unbaptized children fully initiated Number of baptized children received into the full communion of the Catholic Church Number of baptized Catholic children completing initiation	110 61 84	17,400 9,600 13,300

(NOTE: The dioceses which returned the forms are larger than average. They had an average of 120 parishes, while the national average is 109. The national totals shown here are 109/120 x 174 x diocesan averages.)


Among adults, the three categories make up 32 percent, 44 percent, and 24 percent respectively. Among children the three make up 43 percent, 24 percent, and 33 percent.

(The average number of parishes per diocese was 120. The average number without resident clergy was 11. The average number with two or more dominant cultures was 19.)

Diocesan Staffing
Diocesan staffing for evangelization typically takes the form of a staff person who is responsible for several programs (most commonly: religious education along with evangelization). For the RCIA, staffing is similar. It is typically a full-time person with responsibilities for several programs. Sixty-eight percent of the dioceses have a commission or committee for initiation.

The office responsible for implementing the RCIA is usually the Office of Worship (or Liturgy) or the Office of Religious Education. In 62 percent of the dioceses, other offices also help in some way.

Parish Programs
How many parishes implement a full-year RCIA program? About 15 percent. About 46 percent implement a 9-month initiation model, and about 13 percent implement a one-on-one adult initiation model. About 6 percent have some other kind of adult initiation model, and about 17 percent have no adult rite at all. (These numbers are imprecise and should be seen as estimates.)

How about children's initiation? About 8 percent of parishes implement a full-year children's initiation model, about 27 percent have a 9-month model, about 13 percent have a one-on-one initiation model, about 10 percent have some other kind of model, and about 41 percent have no children's rite at all.

Do parishes typically have separate programs or processes for adult catechumens and adult candidates? No. Only about 7 percent do. Do parishes typically have combined programs or processes for children and adults? Not many; only about 10 percent. Do many parishes have a separate program or process for youth? About 32 percent. Do many have a family-based initiation process? About 13 percent.

How many parishes have an extended ongoing period of the precatechumenate? About 21 percent. How many begin precatechumenate in September? About 59 percent. How many provide a process of discernment before celebrating the rite of acceptance? About 62 percent.

How many parishes celebrate the rite of acceptance more than once a year? About 22 percent. How many celebrate the rite on one fixed date? About 46 percent. How many celebrate the rites (blessings, exorcism, anointings, celebrations of the Word) during the period of the catechumenate? About 58 percent.

How many participate in the diocesan Rite of Election? About 68 percent. How many celebrate initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist) with adults at the Easter Vigil? About 76 percent. How many do the same with children at the Easter Vigil? About 45 percent. How many celebrate full communion at some other time? About 19 percent.

Diocesan Practices and Resources
The main resources used in the RCIA are the lectionary and the Catechism of the Catholic Church. About 43 percent use the lectionary as the primary resource during the catechumenate, and about 24 percent use the Catechism as the primary resource.

Does the diocese recommend or require specific resources for the catechumenate? Yes, 49 percent do. The vast majority are recommended, not required.

More dioceses celebrate several rites of election than those who celebrate a single Rite of Election (62 percent vs. 38 percent). The majority have celebrations at one site rather than various sites (60 percent vs. 40 percent). The bishop commonly presides; in 61 percent of the dioceses the bishop presides at all celebrations of the rite of election.

The majority of dioceses provide training for implementing the RCIA. In the last three years, 71 percent of the dioceses responding have done so. The training covers many areas, including the precatechumenate, the rites, the period of mystagogy, and initiation of children.


Responses to Specific Questions

Here is a summary of the responses for every question. The reader should remember that not everyone answered every question. When only a portion of the respondents answered a question, "N" indicates the number who answered.

Number of Parishes
Total number of parishes/missions in the diocese	Range	27 to 413
	Average	120
Number of urban/metropolitan parishes	Range	0 to 353
	Average	36
Number of suburban parishes	Range	0 to 185
	Average	29
Number of rural/small community parishes	Range	0 to 182
	Average	44
Number of parishes without resident clergy	Range	0 to 74
	Average	11
Number of parishes with 2 or more dominant culture	Range	0 to 125
	Average	19
Number of campus ministry parishes	Range	0 to 15
	Average	2

Number of Initiations in 1996
Number of unbaptized adults fully initiated	Range	17 to 1363
	Average	204
Number of baptized adults received into the full communion of the Catholic Church	Range Average	0 to 1642 280
Number of baptized Catholic adults completing initiation	Range	0 to 1091
	Average	156
Number of unbaptized children fully initiated	Range	0 to 927
	Average	110
Number of baptized children received into the full communion of the Catholic Church	Range Average	0 to 369 61
Number of baptized Catholic children completing initiation	Range	0 to 535
	Average	84

Evangelization Program

Q2. Is the diocesan evangelization designate person
full-time, part-time, or a volunteer? (N=69)

Percent full-time	75
Percent part-time	20
Percent volunteer	4

Q3. Is this person responsible for evangelization only? (N=73)

Percent yes

15

If no: What other duties does the diocesan delegate for evangelization have? (N=55)

Catechetics; religious education	No. of Cases	21
Ministry foundation	Cases	7
Spiritual renewal; retreats	Cases	6
Pastor of a parish	Cases	5
Vicar general; Parochial Vicar	Cases	3
Liturgy	Cases	2
Other	Cases	11

Q4. Is there a commission or committee in the diocese for evangelization?

Percent yes

47

Q5. Does the diocese have an evangelization initiative at the present time?

Percent yes

54

If yes, describe: (N=50)

Renew 2000	No. of Cases	7
Disciples in Mission	Cases	7
Go and Make Disciples	Cases	4
Landings	Cases	3
Come Home	Cases	2
Other	Cases	27

Q6. What percent of parishes have active evangelization initiatives?

Average percent

36

Q7. Does the diocese have a promotional program inviting people to inquire into the Catholic Church?

Percent yes

34

If yes, describe: (N=43)

Done on a local parish level	Cases	21
Landings	Cases	5
Media, TV, ads	Cases	4
Come Home; Come Home for Christmas	Cases	3
Better implementation of RCIA; information on RCIA	Cases	3
Other	Cases	7

Christian Initiation Program

Q2. Is the person responsible for the implementation of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults full-time, part-time, or a volunteer?

Percent full-time	79
Percent part-time	18
Percent volunteer	2

Q3. Is this person responsible for initiation only?

Percent yes

12

Q4. Is there a commission or committee in the diocese for initiation?

Percent yes

68

Q5. What office or agency is the primary office or agency for implementing the RCIA? (N=96)

Office of Worship; Office of Liturgy	Cases	35
Office of Catechumenate; Office of Catechesis Office of Religious Education	Cases	28
Office of Catechesis and Office of Worship	Cases	19
Office for Evangelization	Cases	4
Office of Pastoral Ministries; Office of Pastoral Services	Cases	3
Office for Initiation	Cases	2
Other	Cases	5

Q6. Are there other offices or agencies involved in the implementation of the RCIA?

Percent yes

62

If yes, which? (N=60)

Religious Education Office; Office for Catechetics	Cases	23
Office for Worship; Liturgy Office	Cases	18
Religious Education and Worship	Cases	11
Office for Evangelization	Cases	3
Chancery	Cases	2
Other and mixed	Cases	3

Diocesan Practice

Q1. How many parishes implement full-year adult initiation model? Does the diocese have a written policy?

Average number	15
Pct. dioceses with policy	30%

Q2. How many parishes implement 9-month initiation model? Does the diocese have a written policy?

Average number	46
Pct. dioceses with policy	5%

Q3. How many parishes implement one-to-one adult initiation model? Does the diocese have a written policy?

Average number	13
Pct. dioceses with policy	4%

Q4. How many parishes implement some other kind of adult initiation model? Does the diocese have a written policy?

Average number	6
Pct. dioceses with policy	5%

Q5. How many parishes do not implement the adult rite at all? Does the diocese have a written policy?

Average number	17
Pct. dioceses with policy	3%

Q6. How many parishes implement full-year children's initiation model? Does the diocese have a written policy?

Average number	7
Pct. dioceses with policy	27%

Q7. How many parishes implement 9-month children's initiation model? Does the diocese have a written policy?

Average number	25
Pct. dioceses with policy	5%

Q8. How many parishes implement one-to-one children's initiation model? Does the diocese have a written policy?

Average number	13
Pct. dioceses with policy	3%

Q9. How many parishes implement some other kind of children's initiation model? Does the diocese have a written policy?

Average number	9
Pct. dioceses with policy	3%

Q10. How many parishes do not implement the rite adapted for children at all? Does the diocese have a written policy?

Average number	38
Pct. dioceses with policy	3%

Q11. How many parishes have separate programs or processes for adult catechumens & candidates? Does the diocese have a written policy?

Average number	7
Pct. dioceses with policy	9%

Q12. How many parishes have combined programs or processes for adult catechumens & candidates? Does the diocese have a written policy?

Average number	74
Pct. dioceses with policy	17%

Q13. How many parishes have separate programs or processes for children catechumens & candidates? Does the diocese have a written policy?

Average number	19
Pct. dioceses with policy	9%

Q14. How many parishes have combined programs or processes for children catechumens & candidates? Does the diocese have a written policy?

Average number	40
Pct. dioceses with policy	15%

Q15. How many parishes have combined programs or processes for children and adults? Does the diocese have a written policy?

Average number	32
Pct. dioceses with policy	7%

Q16. How many parishes have a separate program or process for youth/adolescents? Does the diocese have a written policy?

Average number	32%
Pct. dioceses with policy	7%

Q17. How many parishes have a family-based initiation process? Does the diocese have a written policy?

Average number	13%
Pct. dioceses with policy	7%

Q18. How many parishes have an extended, on-going period of the precatechumenate (regularly, all year)? Does the diocese have a written policy?

Average number	21%
Pct. dioceses with policy	21%

Q19. How many parishes begin precatechumenate in September? Does the diocese have a written policy?

Average number	59%
Pct. dioceses with policy	7%

Q20. How many parishes provide a process of discernment before celebrating the rite of acceptance? Does the diocese have a written policy?

Average number	62%
Pct. dioceses with policy	26%

Q21. How many parishes celebrate the rite of acceptance more than once per year? Does the diocese have a written policy?

Average number	22
Pct. dioceses with policy	24%

Q22. How many parishes celebrate the rite of acceptance on one fixed date (e.g. Advent I)? Does the diocese have a written policy?

Average number	46%
Pct. dioceses with policy	7%

Q23. How many parishes have an extended, on-going period of the catechumenate (regularly, all year)? Does the diocese have a written policy?

Average number	19%
Pct. dioceses with policy	25%

Q24. How many parishes celebrate dismissal of catechumens at Sunday Liturgy of the Word all year round? Does the diocese have a written policy?

Average number	22%
Pct. dioceses with policy	24%

Q25. How many parishes use the lectionary as the primary resource during the period of the catechumenate? Does the diocese have a written policy?

Average number	43%
Pct. dioceses with policy	25%%

Q26. How many parishes use the Catechism of the Catholic Church as the primary resource during the period of the catechumenate? Does the diocese have a written policy?

Average number	24%
Pct. dioceses with policy	9%

Q27. How many parishes provide both reflection on the Sunday scriptures and reflection on Catholic teaching during the period of the catechumenate? Does the diocese have a written policy?

Average number	69%
Pct. dioceses with policy	26%

Q28. How many parishes encourage apostolic witness during the period of the catechumenate? Does the diocese have a written policy?

Average number	55%
Pct. dioceses with policy	24%

Q29. How many parishes celebrate the rites for the period of the catechumenate (blessings, exorcism, anointings, celebrations of the Word)? Does the diocese have a written policy?

Average number	58%
Pct. dioceses with policy	24%

Q30. How many parishes presume a minimum of one year of formation for catechumens? Does the diocese have a written policy?

Average number	34%
Pct. dioceses with policy	25%

Q31. How many parishes provide a process of discernment before celebrating the rite of election? Does the diocese have a written policy?

Average number	63%
Pct. dioceses with policy	26%

Q32. How many parishes celebrate a parish rite of sending? Does the diocese have a written policy?

Average number	63%
Pct. dioceses with policy	26%

Q33. How many parishes participate in the diocesan rite of election? Does the diocese have a written policy?

Average number	68%
Pct. dioceses with policy	31%

Q34. How many parishes celebrate the three scrutinies at the Sunday Liturgy of the Word? Does the diocese have a written policy?

Average number	62%
Pct. dioceses with policy	29%

Q35. How many parishes request dispensations from any of the scrutinies? Does the diocese have a written policy?

Average number	3%
Pct. dioceses with policy	14%

Q36. How many parishes use the lectionary texts from Year A for the scrutinies? Does the diocese have a written policy?

Average number	54%
Pct. dioceses with policy	25%

Q37. How may parishes celebrate the presentations during the period of the catechumenate? Does the diocese have a written policy?

Average number	60%
Pct. dioceses with policy	23%

Q38. How many parishes anticipate the presentations during the period of the catechumenate? Does the diocese have a written policy?

Average number	35%
Pct. dioceses with policy	14%

Q39. How many parishes celebrate the preparation rites on Holy Saturday? Does the diocese have a written policy?

Average number	43%
Pct. dioceses with policy	19%

Q40. How may parishes celebrate the sacraments of initiation (Baptism-Confirmation-Eucharist) with the adult elect at the Easter Vigil? Does the diocese have a written policy?

Average number	76%
Pct. dioceses with policy	34%

Q41. How many parishes celebrate the sacraments of initiation (Baptism-Confirmation-Eucharist) with the children elect at the Easter Vigil? Does the diocese have a written policy?

Average number	45%
Pct. dioceses with policy	25%

Q42. How many parishes celebrate full communion at the Easter vigil? Does the diocese have a written
policy?

Average number	72%
Pct. dioceses with policy	22%

Q43. How many parishes celebrate the sacraments of initiation at some other time? Does the diocese have a written policy?

Average number	14%
Pct. dioceses with policy	11%

Q44. How many parishes celebrate full communion at some other time? Does the diocese have a written policy?

Average number	19%
Pct. dioceses with policy	21%

Q45. How many parishes provide a period of mystagogy during the Easter Season? Does the diocese have a written policy?

Average number	64%
Pct. dioceses with policy	27%

Q46. How many parishes provide a period of on-going mystagogy until the anniversary of initiation? Does the diocese have a written policy?

Average number	15%
Pct. dioceses with policy	24%

Diocesan Procedures

(a) Period of the Precatechumenate

Are there diocesan directives/guidance for initiation interviews?	Percent yes	53
Is there diocesan support for beginning the annulment process?	Percent yes	77
Are there any specific resources?	Percent yes	40
Are there specific resources recommended? (N=42)	Percent yes	95
Are there specific resources required? (N=42)	Percent yes	5
What resources are recommended or required for the Period of the Precatechumenate? (N=26) Come Follow Me It is done by the tribunal Various and multiple	Cases Cases Cases	4 4 18

(b) Rite of Acceptance into the Order or Catechumens

Are there diocesan directives stating that candidates in need of annulment cannot celebrate the rite of acceptance?	Percent yes	23
Are there diocesan directives/guidance for celebrating the rite with baptized candidates?	Percent yes	46

(c) Period of the Catechumenate

Are there diocesan directives/guidance regarding type and form of catechesis?	Percent yes	48
Are there any specific resources?	Percent yes	49
Are there specific resources recommended? (N=50)	Percent yes	96
Are there specific resources required? (N=50)	Percent yes	4
What resources are recomended or required for the Period of the Catechumenate? (N=34) Lectionary Foundations in Faith Catechism Lectionary and Catechism Various and multiple	Cases Cases Cases Cases Cases	13 9 2 2 8

(d) Rite of Election

Are there diocesan directives stating that candidates/catechumens in need of annulment cannot celebrate the rite of election?	Percent yes	51
Do you celebrate one Rite of Election? (N=90)	Percent yes	38
Do you celebrate several Rites of Election? (N=90)	Percent yes	62
Do you celebrate the Rite of Election at one site? (N=87)	Percent yes	60
Do you celebrate Rites of Election at various sites? (N=87)	Percent yes	40
Does the diocesan bishop usually preside at one, some, or all Rites of Election?	Percent one Percent some Percent all	32 7 61
Is the book of the elect signed at the parish site of sending, or at the Rite of Election?	Percent: parish site Percent: at rite Both	37 61 2

(e) Period of Purification and Enlightenment

Does the diocese have specific resources recommended? (N=43)	Percent yes	98
Does the diocese have specific resources required? (N=43)	Percent yes	2
What resources are recommended or required for the Period of Purification and Enlightenment? (N=24) Lectionary: Catechism; both Foundations in Faith plus others Foundations in Faith Others and multiple	Cases Cases Cases Cases Cases	7 5 2 10

(f) Celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation

Do you normally celebrate reception into full communion (for baptized uncatechized candidates) at the Easter Vigil?	Percent yes	89
Do you celebrate full initiation at the Easter Vigil?	Percent yes	89

(g) Mystagogy

Do neophytes gather with the diocesan bishop during the Easter Season?	Percent yes	32
Does the diocese have specific resources recommended?	Percent yes	96
Does the diocese have specific resources required?	Percent yes	4
What resources are recommended or required for mystagogy? (N=11) Lectionary plus others Foundations in Faith plus others Other and multiple	Cases Cases Cases	5 2 5
Does the diocese have directives/guidance regarding ongoing mystagogy?	Percent yes	10

Diocesan Training

Does the diocese itself, or through another organization, provide training in the following areas?

Overall understanding of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults	Percent ever Percent in last 3 years	77 71
Implementing the period of the precatechumenate	Percent ever Percent in last 3 years	70 63
Implementing the period of the catechumenate	Percent ever Percent in last 3 years	71 65
Implementing the period of purification and enlightenment	Percent ever Percent in last 3 years	72 65
Implementing the period of mystagogy	Percent ever Percent in last 3 years	70 62
Celebrating the rites of initiation	Percent ever Percent in last 3 years	70 65
Ministries of initiation (e.g., sponsors)	Percent ever Percent in last 3 years	61 66
Clergy formation	Percent ever Percent in last 3 years	64 36
Initiation issues with children of catechetical age	Percent ever Percent in last 3 years	63 59
Initiation issues with baptized candidates	Percent ever Percent in last 3 years	60 55

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