Question:
Answer:
When someone joins a church or religion they are saying that they truly believe all the things taught by that group. Faith touches on the ultimate reality of life and the universe. These are not topics to be taken lightly. Faith touches on every aspect of how we live our lives and the choices that we make. Before accepting such an all encompassing change in life the individual needs to be fully aware of the implications of the choice to embrace a particular faith.
The usual RCIA process takes one to two years to complete. In some extraordinary circumstances it can be expedited. The main concern of the RCIA team is to be sure that the individual is truly ready to make a commitment to Jesus and the Church. Faith is not something that we try out for a while and see if we like it. Faith is a total commitment of the heart, mind, and soul (Deut. 6:4-6; Matt. 22:36-37).
Your question also presumes that water baptism is the only form of baptism. Someone who is in the conversion process to become a Catholic who dies prior to water baptism receives the baptism of desire at the moment of death.
For catechumens who die before their Baptism, their explicit desire to receive it, together with repentance for their sins, and charity, assures them the salvation that they were not able to receive through the sacrament. (Catechism, 1259)