The Laity in the Church 
In our Eparchy, we often speak about the place of the lay people in the Church. In our conferences and spiritual retreats, we ask our priests to encourage the laity to fulfil a greater role in their communities. This discussion is urgent; the subject important and necessary. Yet, we have noticed a degree of confusion in that there appears to be a lack of mutual confidence between priests and people. It is this that hinders the parish in its spiritual and social growth.
What can we do to dispel this shared mistrust between these two groups? The Church needs both its wings – clerical and lay to be truly the Church of Christ. It is in this that the unity of the parish will be realised. The Church needs an authentic community to achieve its mission. Genuine cooperation between the two teams will build up the faith and make open the ways by which the Holy Spirit works in souls.
Today, the lay people are often highly qualified in areas involved in the mission of the Church, and, they are anxious to be active in the affairs of their parishes. If they are encouraged to do so, they will find an environment conducive to the development of their faith and commitment to their Church.
The English word laity (adj lay) comes from the Greek laoV (laos) meaning "the people” - that is, the responsible or active members of a particular group. Sacred Scripture speaks repeatedly of the People of God chosen to fulfill his purposes and to prepare for the coming of the Saviour. It was a woman of the People, the Virgin Mary, who was chosen to be the mother of Jesus, and, it was from the laity, the general population at the time, that Jesus called his apostles to carry the Good News to the world. With the apostles, each and every person is called to be a member of the People of God.
The People of God, the Laity, are " here understood to mean all the faithful except those in holy orders and those in a religious state sanctioned by the Church. These faithful are by baptism made one body with Christ and are established among the people of God. They are in their own way made sharers of the priestly, prophetic, and kingly functions of Christ. They carry out their own part in the mission of the whole Christian people with respect to the Church and the world.” (Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, par 31. Abbott-Gallagher)
At the reception of the Sacraments of Initiation – Baptism, Chrismation and Holy Eucharist – the laity partake of a singular gift. Thus, it can be said, that all the believers, including priests and monastics, belong to the Laos tou Qeou, the People of God, the Laity. We say this because all have been chosen by God to be his apostles to the world.
In the Holy Mystery of Chrismation (Confirmation), received immediately after Baptism, the lay people are made consecrated and responsible Christians in the Church of God, children of the light and heirs of the Kingdom. Thus, the baptized are granted the right to cooperate in the work of the Church – the planning, decision-making and activities of the various groups over which the Church exercises authority.
The lay people are the strength and the hope of the Church because they are apostles who live in the midst of the world, and, who have a role in the growth of secular life according to the will of God. In considering this, the Second Vatican Council says, "They live in the world, that is, in each and in all of the secular professions and occupations. They live in the ordinary circumstances of family and social life, from which the very web of their existence is woven.” (Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, par 31)
In asking the lay people to assume various pastoral responsibilities, the parish priest is confirming their mission and participation in the life of the Church. This delegation of tasks to the laity is not an abdication of the priest from his responsibilities, nor is it a gift from him, rather it is the right and duty of the people.
In our Eparchy we have developed a program to encourage the lay people to assume their responsibilities, and, there remains still much work to do. This requires a continuous education equally on the part of both clergy and laity. They should learn to co-operate and to collaborate in taking common initiatives for the benefit of the parish and each of the believers.
Clergy and laity should labour together as one for the building up of the Body of Christ. This demands constant mutual support so as to make the parish as busy as a beehive. As the Apostle Paul says, "We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us …” (Rom 12:6).
The dimensions of parish work are many. Everyone can find a way to work in its growth and progress – amongst other activities, there are, the religious education for children, the ladies’ auxiliary, charitable organisations, the youth, prayer groups, bible study and discussion evenings, stewardship committee, parish council, seniors activities, fund-raising, office work, the parish web, face book, twitter and other responsibilities. Indeed, for the believers there is no rest! They find themselves fully committed to the building up of the house of God! The Apostle Peter writes, "Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people.” (1Peter 2:10) The Believers are they who put their confidence in their Church and who work tirelessly to preserve it. Through their conduct, their manifest the fruits of devotion and piety, peace and goodness. (Col 1:10)
The Apostle Paul urges the believers to take into themselves the mind of Christ (Ph 2:5) No matter how the individual members differ in external form, they each cooperate to nurture the Body of Christ. Let us tank God who calls us and who makes us his collaborators in the building of his Kingdom here on earth.
The earliest Church was a secularist movement in which there was no rigid distinction between the clergy and the laity. Both were members of the People of God – the People which Christ had won on the Cross through his own blood. The People of God became "Kleros” – "the lot of God” - from the Greek for a share, part or an allotment. By the Grace of the Holy Spirit, every lay person belongs to this People of God; every person becomes part of the Kleros, as the Apostle Paul says, "you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God.” (1Cor 3:23) Therefore, the Laity are the People of God because they are that which is set aside for God, his "lot.”
The clergy and the laity are one. Their unity flows from their unity in Christ. Regardless of whatever may be their talents, they each have the same Spirit. "Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord” – the difference is the variety in the services. The Holy Spirit gives his gifts for an individual’s service within the Church, which is the Body of Christ. The body is in need of diverse services and the goal of this variety or diversity is the building up of the body – ""to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ” (Eph 4:12).
The diversity of gifts amongst the sons and daughters of the Church does not imply a difference or distinction between the clergy and the laity. Whatever the particular gift of the Holy Spirit, each contains the fullness of grace. Thus, whilst the gifts are many and varied, the grace is but one. Lay people, like those in the consecrated life, share in the gifts of the Holy Spirit through baptism, Chrismation, penance and marriage. Lay people are also called to the service of charity and to the proclamation of the Word. Therefore, no one can disparage the vocation of the lay person.
In baptism and Chrismation, lay people are ordained as members of the People of God, and, are filled with the Holy Spirit, "we were all made to drink of the one Spirit.” (1Cor.12:13) When they were anointed with the Holy Myron, they were sealed forever by the Gift of the Holy Spirit; they were clothed with the white garment of the Royal Priesthood. In the partaking of the Holy Eucharist, the lay people enter into a spiritual communion with the Church and are joined to that Community which we can truly call the one "Eucharistic Community.” The gifts which each has received become common gifts to be placed at the service of all: "And unite us all to one another who become partakers of the one Bread and the one Cup in the communion of the one Holy Spirit”.
It is not possible to separate the shepherd from the parish. They are one in a spiritual communion nurtured by the Holy Spirit. The Shepherd is Jesus Christ; the sons and daughters of the church constitute the parish. The Shepherd knows his sheep. He cares for them and he leads them to the pasture land, to life. The parish and the shepherd are one. The Church appointed shepherds to serve the flock, priests and bishops, knowing that they too come from the flock, even from the parish. They are charged with the care of the Church of God, "tend the flock of God that is in your charge, exercising the oversight” (1 Peter 5/2) and the Holy Spirit makes them to be caretakers of the Church which was purchased by the very blood of Christ. (Acts20/28)
The laity are the living and active members of the Church, and, consequently they are partners in its constant renewal. They are entrusted with its life and its duty is its protection. They cannot, however, be the celebrants of the holy Mysteries (Sacraments) the administration of which is reserved to priesthood. It is to the priests alone that the bishop entrusts the Mysteries. However, there are many other liturgical roles that can be fulfilled by the laity and their talents are essential for many administrative tasks in the Church.
The role of the laity in the Church is especially important. Indeed, their particular mission arises from the essence of the mission of the Church wherein there are many services for the building up of the Mystical Body and for the benefit of the people. Jesus said that without him we can do nothing (Jn 25:5) For this reason, the lay people should understand that the Lord has chosen them for that mission which is the service of his Church, and, the proclamation to the people that Jesus Christ is the source of salvation.
There is no question that the celebration of the Liturgy is reserved to those ordained for its service and for the celebration of the Holy Mysteries. However, there is an important role for the laity in the enrichment of the liturgical services and the worship of the Church. The lay people can encourage others to attend Church, to the occasional services, and to spiritual retreats and bible study. There are all manner of apostolic activities to which they can contribute. They can assist the priest in the general preparation for the Holy Liturgy – the collating and distribution of the news latter, the composition of the prayers of the faithful, choir membership and practice, cleaning of the church and upkeep of the various items used in worship.
The liturgical life and sacramental services should not be foreign to the lay people but rather should concern all the sons and daughters of the Church. All the People of God contribute to it, and all do so according to their talents and possibilities. Thus the laity, as members of the Church, participate with the ordained in the Church’s liturgical worship.
Is it permissible for the laity to share in the proclamation of the Church’s doctrine? We know that teaching the Faith is a particular talent or gift, and we know that the gifts of the Holy Spirit are bestows upon all the believers as St Paul writes in his first letter to the Corinthians, "All these are activated by one and the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses” (1 Cor 12: 11). The teaching ministry of the Church consists in the spreading abroad of the Good News, the explanation of the Word of God, and the handing on of the Church’s doctrine.
At present, teaching skills are acquired by a secular or scientific methodology. Unlike in the past, the study of theology is not exclusively the domain of the clergy but is open to all. Jesus said, "you will know the truth and the truth will make you free.” (Jn 8:32) This means that the purpose of this teaching is to lead us to the Truth, to Jesus Christ. The children of the Church love the truth because it liberates them. However, they are bound to preserve it, to share it with the world and to proclaim it. Thus, theological studies are now made available to the laity, and, also the catechism is readily at hand for all the groups within a parish or school. It remains only to say that preaching within the Holy Liturgy is proper to the priest or deacon as the homily is a fundamental element of the Eucharistic celebration. For particular reasons, the bishop may give permission for a subdeacon to preach provided he is supervised by the liturgical celebrant.
Our Christian life should centre on service, "whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve" (Mk 10: 44-45). The vocation to service is a gift which the Holy Spirit imparts to each of the baptized and is given so as to become a way of life. There is no Christianity without service, and there can be no relationship with the People of God unless this gift be put into practice. On more than one occasion St Paul enumerates the varied services required of the believer, either lay or cleric (1 Cor 12/28-30). These types off service are each a talent or gift from God. To emphasize the spiritual aspect of service, the Bishop bestows a particular blessing on all those who offer their services to the Church, for example, sacristans, catechists, parish council members, members of the ladies’ auxiliary, and others.
Do you not know that the person closest to the heart of God is not the one who exercises authority, not the one with the gift of prophecy, not the teacher, not the wonder- worker, but first and foremost, the humble one who serves others in love and simplicity. Sacred Scripture describes God as the God of the poor, of widows and of orphans. Many times, in his preaching, Jesus highlighted the help that we must offer in love. Those who desire fame go to Hollywood and other such places wherein which they can revel in worldly notoriety. However, the sons and daughters of God seek the Church, becoming thus the heirs of the heavenly kingdom. In our parishes are we seeking out those who are blessed with spirit of service?
Our young men and women are the lifeblood of the parish. They are its strength and vigour. They are the future and the hope of the Church. They ask of us that we should trust them sufficiently to be partners in the parish. We must nurture them and encourage them to join in the activities of the Church and thus to become involved in the proclamation of the Faith. The best gift that we can offer to the youth is that of Sacred Scripture, and, in taking it to heart let it change their lives – indeed, may it bring a new meaning to their lives. Thus, we have to promote amongst them the daily reading of Scripture, so that as they enter ever more deeply into the message it contains, they will happily imitate what is presented.
What are the reasons that prompt the young people to come to church? First, they desire to know Sacred Scripture. Second, they wish to deepen their faith in Jesus Christ. They are searching for an authentic and strong community wherein they can find a loving family environment. Third, they are looking for new friendships that will remain with them in the future.
It is critical that the young people be brought into the life of the Church, and encouraged to contribute to the decision making process. However, we must not expect them to be duplicates of either ourselves or long retired members of committees. We must allow them the freedom to arrive at new solutions. Hopefully, they will persuade their contemporaries to become involved with them in the renewal of the parish, and, in turn, come to a deeper knowledge of Christ.
We urge the young people to be partners with the older parishioners in all church projects, so that as they joyfully participate in the building up of the Church, the Word of God may be, as St Paul says, "living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Heb 4: 12).
All Christians, in whatever state of life, are called to participate in the activities of the parish. All the Believers must contribute effectively to the proclamation of the Good News, "For the preaching of the Gospel to all nations has to come first.” (Mk 13:10) For every woman there is a particular vocation. The Lord allots her a special place in the evangelical mission. The proof of this is the encounter of our Lord with the Samaritan woman. After freeing her from her sins, he shares with her the love of God, and, makes of her a disciple. This meeting causes her to hasten to her town and announce to the people that the Christ is in their midst.
When we refer to the Gospel, we find that women assume an extraordinary dignity, and we discover that "the dignity of woman and her call is revealed in a special way by the conversation of Christ with them.” (Mulieris Dignitatem, Apostolic Letter, 1988, Pope John Paul II) Jesus praised the faith of the woman with the haemorrhage (Mk 5:34) and he expressed his admiration for the faith of the Canaanite woman who asked him to cure her daughter. (Lk7:13) In his parables, woman assume an important role, as in the story of the wise virgins; (Mt 25 1-13) again he justifies the widow who gave all she had whilst the rich gave little. (Lk 21:1-4)
These insights and others clarify the significance of woman and her dignity. Women must be proud that God chose from amongst them the one who was to bring the Only-Begotten Son into the world. She was to accompany that same Son to the Cross and on to the Resurrection. It was to a woman that he gave the greatest gift – the gift of his presence, and as he dwelt in her womb, she became a temple, indeed, "in her is a spirit that is intelligent, saintly, unique, manifold, subtle, active, concise, pure and lucid... it is beneficent, loving humankind, steadfast, dependable, calm though almighty...she is a breath of the power of God, a pure emanation of the glory of the Almighty” (Wis 7:22-25).
Because of all this, we note that women have a privileged role in the Church and in the Church’s worship. This role must be appropriate to her gifts, her vocation and her nature given by God. She is especially gifted in pastoral work and the service of the Word; in preparing the Believers for the Holy Mysteries, teaching children, conducting youth activities, caring for the elderly, visiting the sick, assisting the dying and comforting mourners.
The Church encourages all the baptized to be more involved in their Christian life. She calls upon them to be apostles in their environment and to reveal the spirit of the Gospel by their works and through their way of life. To assist the Believers, from all age groups, to live the Word of God and bring it to others, many apostolic movements and ecclesial societies have arisen within the Church. This has been especially so after the Second Vatican Council (!962-1965) with the establishment of associations for children, numerous fraternities, movements for students and youth, workers and young adults. Thereafter came Focolary, Faith and Light, and other consecrated groups. It is within these various communities that the members nurture their faith and strengthen their bonds with the Church.
In the Second Vatican Council’s Decree, On the Apostolate of the Laity (Ch 3), the Council speaks of "the duties of apostolic work.” It is noted that organised apostolic work first helps communities to have a common activity, and thus trains lay people for the mission and organises their ecclesiastical work. Thus prepared and united, contributing with enthusiasm to living the Word of God and its proclamation, they are able to bring to the Church those who have been far away. At this point, we must concentrate on the relationship between the priest and the laity – a relationship that makes the parish a living communal cell, and which integrates its mission, its aims and its activities into the life of the eparchy.
There are certain types of apostolic movements that come from outside a parish and which are constitutionally focused on the Universal Church. Not infrequently such associations do not understand the mentality of the parish and attempt to impose their world-view on the local people and structures. For this reason every movement needs to be subject to the supervision of the diocesan bishop. Formation must be within the faith tradition of the believers, and, must take into account the circumstances in which they live. In other words, all communal development must be fostered within the planned development of the parish and the eparchy.
Organized apostolic work from outside the parish requires that the priest keeps a continual spiritual watch on the community and the members within it. It is his task to nourish the faith of the people through the Word of God, the Holy Mysteries (Sacraments), prayer and meditation. The cooperation between them, the synergia, should be fraternal and truthful, facing together the difficulties met in life with a Christian and evangelical spirit, as St Paul writes, "make your own the mind of Christ Jesus” (Ph 2:5).
Bishop Issam John Darwish BSO DD
Eparch