It must be noted with great satisfaction that in many Particular Churches the collaboration of the non-ordained faithful in the pastoral ministry of the clergy has developed in a very positive fashion. It has borne an abundance of good fruits while, at the same time being mindful of the boundaries established by the nature of the sacraments and of the diversity of charisms and ecclesiastical functions. It has also brought about bounteous and tangible results in situations of a shortage or scarcity of sacred ministers.(12).

(12. 5Cf. John Paul II, Discourse at the Symposium on "The Participation of the Lay Faithful in the Priestly Ministry" (22 April 1994), n. 2, L'Osservatore Romano, English Edition, 11 May 1994.)

In situations of emergency and chronic necessity in certain communities, some of the faithful, despite lacking the character of the sacrament of Orders, have acted appropriately and within their proper limits, in dealing with these realities. The necessary aspect of hierarchical relationship has been maintained while constantly seeking to remedy the situation of emergency.(13). (13. Cf. C.I.C., canons 230, § 3; 517, § 2; 861, § 2; 910, § 2; 943; 1112; John Paul II, Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Christifideles laici (30 December 1988), n. 23 and note 72, AAS 81 (1989), p. 430.) Such faithful are called and deputed to assume specific duties which are as important as they are sensitive. Sustained by the grace of the Lord and by their sacred ministers journeying alongside them, they are well received by the communities which they serve. Sacred Pastors are extremely grateful for the generosity with which numerous religious and lay faithful present themselves for this specific service, carried out with a loyal "sensus Ecclesiae" and an edifying dedication. Particular thanks and encouragement should be extended to those who carry out these tasks in situations of persecution of the Christian community. This is also true for mission territories, whether these be geographical or cultural, and for places where the Church is newly planted or where the presence of the priest is only sporadic.(14).

(14. Cf. John Paul II, Encyclical Letter Redemptoris Missio (7 December 1990), n. 37: AAS 83 (1191), pp. 282-86.)

     This is not the place to develop the theological and pastoral richness of the role of the lay faithful in the Church which has already been amply treated in the Apostolic Exhortation Christifideles laici.

     The scope of this present document is simply to provide a clear, authoritative response to the many pressing requests which have come to our Dicasteries from Bishops, Priests and Laity seeking clarification in the light of specific cases of new forms of "pastoral activity" of the non-ordained on both parochial and diocesan levels.

     Though being born in very difficult and emergency situations and even initiated by those who sought to be genuinely helpful in the pastoral moment, certain practices have often been developed which have had very serious negative consequences and have caused the correct understanding of true ecclesial communion to be damaged. These practices tend to predominate in certain areas of the world and even within these, a great deal of variation can be found.

     These matters cause the grave pastoral responsibility of many to be recalled. This is especially true of Bishops (15).

(15. Cf. C.I.C., canon 392)

whose task it is to promote and ensure observance of the universal discipline of the Church founded on certain doctrinal principles already clearly enunciated by the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council(16)

(16. Cf. Especially Second Vatican Council, Dogmatic Constitution Lumen gentium, Constitution Sacrosanctum Concilium, Decree Presbyterorum ordinis and Decree Apostolicam actuositatem)

and by the Pontifical Magisterium(17) thereafter.

(17. Cf. Especially Apostolic Exhortations Christesfideles laici and Pastores dabo vobis .)

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DAILY CATHOLIC      Vicar of Christ Speaks     volume 8, no. 34

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