The Archdiocese of Sydney has launched a new video introducing the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), as more people enquire about and enter the Catholic Church across Australia.
The short resource offers a simple, accessible guide for those considering the journey of faith, responding to growing interest alongside uncertainty about the process of becoming Catholic. The video is available at rcia.org.au.
Director of the Sydney Centre for Evangelisation Daniel Ang said the initiative comes at an important time.
“Across many dioceses, we are seeing a welcome rise in those seeking to enter the church,” Ang said. “At a time like this, clarity matters. For many, the process of becoming Catholic can feel unfamiliar, even mysterious.”
Designed with seekers in mind, the video explains the stages of RCIA in clear terms, aiming to lower barriers to entry and encourage a confident first step. It also addresses a common challenge: that church language and acronyms can sometimes obscure rather than illuminate.
The initiative also reflects the experience of parishes, where growing interest in the faith is bringing both opportunity and pressure for those accompanying candidates.
Hazel Lim, team leader of life, marriage and family in the archdiocese, said the resource supports both enquirers and those who walk with them.
“We are seeing a real openness among people today, and that is a great gift,” Lim said. “Resources like this video help make the journey clearer not only for those enquiring, but also for those who accompany them.”
The video also presents RCIA as more than a program of instruction. It highlights its role as a process of evangelisation – relational, missionary, and attentive to the grace at work in each person’s life.
This perspective invites wider parish involvement. RCIA is not an isolated program, but a process shaped by welcome, witness and accompaniment across the parish community.
The resource also aims to foster a culture of invitation. Many people begin exploring the faith through a personal invitation, and a clearer pathway into the church can help make that invitation easier to extend.
Drawing on local experience, the video features testimonies from neophytes – those newly baptised or received into the church – offering a practical insight into the journey within parish life.
Ang thanked contributors to the project, including Fr Mark Anderson and the Lane Cove parish team, as well as those who shared their stories.
“The Spirit is clearly at work,” Ang said. “Our task is to collaborate with that grace with a renewed commitment to accompany those who are seeking.”
Sustaining this growth will depend on parish communities ready to welcome and walk with those searching for faith. The new RCIA video aims to make that path clearer for both seekers and those guiding them.
See rcia.org.au for the video and information on becoming Catholic.
