Church Of The Laity

As we celebrate 50 years of Vatican II it is important to recognize the stress that this Council laid on consultation and sharing of responsibility. Not only the Pope was asked to care for the Church and for Church doctrine and practice together with the Bishops, but every Bishop was encouraged to form a pastoral council and to work together with his priests and lay people. This collaboration of bishops and priests and laity is not just to be a help because there are not enough workers, but also because it is the right and duty of the laity to be involved in the life of the Church. This will require that as Church people we need to acquaint the laity on their place in the Church, the meaning of the Church, its sacraments and above all its mission. It is becoming very clear that more needs to be done for the laity to help them develop their theological understanding and their pastoral involvement. This is a basic requirement. But this is not enough. We need to prepare our laity to do higher scientific studies in spiritual and theological studies where they can specialize in one or another aspect of scripture, theology, mission, catechesis, pastoral counseling. We need lay people to help us in our pastoral and catechetical centres.