THE LAITY
THE LAY PERSONS ROLE
AND PRIORITIES IN SOCIETY
Pope Paul VI, Evangelii nuntiandi,
Chapter VI, especially
n.70.
Cardinal Daneels,
Lhumanite de Dieu, p.60.
.
LAY PERSONS PRIORITIES
§Family.
§Work (school/ workplace).
§Secular society.
§Church community.
.
JESUS,
THE CHURCH,
AND
THE CHRISTIAN:
§ Jesus is the person sent by God.
§ The Church is sent by God.
§ Every Christian is sent by God.
.
EVANGELIZERS
(1):
All Christians:
§ by baptism
§ ministers of the Gospel
The laity:
§ primary and immediate task:
§ be active as Christians,
present in secular
realities,
§ directing them towards
the Kingdom of God
.
EVANGELIZERS
(2):
Families:
§ in which the Gospel
is transmitted
(evangelized)
§ from which the Gospel
radiates (evangelize)
Youth:
§ apostles of youth
§ stress a positive approach to live
.
COOPERATION
BETWEEN
THE LAITY
AND THE CLERGY
§ Different lay ministries.
§
Respect for unity.
.
CATEGORIES
OF MINISTRY
§ of the Word.
§ of the Church community.
§ of the Churchs social services.
.
TRAINING
§ Serious preparation needed.
§ Necessary for ministry of the Word.
§ Diocesan training programme.
.
FALSE
EXPECTATIONS
§ All to belong to a parish organization.
§ Not the Popes expectation.
§ Opportunity not open to all.
.
COOPERATION
BETWEEN
LAITY
AND
RELIGIOUS
.
LAY EXPECTATIONS (1):
Vital and reciprocal communion:
§ formation in spirituality
§ guard traditions
§ regain community
§ directed to Kingdom of God
§ keep updated
§ grow out of paternalism
.
LAY EXPECTATIONS (2):
At the level of association:
§ learn about lay associations
§ help them to be significant
§ give them spiritual assistance
§ do courses of renewal
§ relate with laity as equals
.
LAY EXPECTATIONS (3):
At all levels:
§ create mixed organisms
§ consecration of religious
§ professionalism of laity