Theme: The Role of the Laity?
In this year of St. Paul we are reminded that although there were many factions and divisions within the early Christian communities, his focus was firmly placed on the person of Christ and on the unity and inclusivity with which Jesus was so concerned during his life on earth .
For many reasons, historical, political, and theological, this focus on unity and inclusivity was reduced over the centuries, so that by the twentieth century there was a two-tier assembly, with a clerical world, perceived as ‘The Church’, actively engaged in administration and evangelisation, and a lay world which was passive, silent, and obedient.
Now, due to the shortage of priests, all lay women and men are being called upon to take part in the work of evangelisation. In a busy world, in order to enable lay people to move from a passive to an active role, some questions need to be addressed :
What is the role of the laity in the Catholic Church?
- What preparation is being made for the new roles of clergy and laity?
- Will parishes promote a relevant and integrated spirituality which will help lay people to engage as Christians with the world?
- Can ‘consultative and advisory’ parish councils allow sufficient scope and freedom for an educated laity to draw on its wisdom and experience in seeking effective strategies?
- Can trust between bishops, clergy and laity be improved? Will lay women and men be given more responsibility? How can accountability and transparency be assured?
- Will lay men and women be included in deliberations and planning processes so that their lived experience may find expression in the decision-making of the Universal Church?
- Will clustering break up Eucharistic communities which for generations have gathered around their local parish church? Can clustering be any more than a short-term solution to the shortage of priests?
- Can prohibitions against the full inclusion of women and marginalised persons be overcome so that “nobody may feel a stranger in the Christian community” (Presbyterorum Ordinis 9)?