In the early Church, the question of who was a lay person or who was not a cleric was not much of a concern since the Church acted as one body. Any action taken by the part of the Church members involved the action of the whole Church. However, this does not mean that in the nascent Church all the members formed a kind of amorphous body in which there were no distinctions. Since the genesis of the Church, there has been a distinction among her members.
There are two different categories of Christ’s faithful. There are the clerics and the lay faithful. The clerics are the ordained members and the lay faithful are the non-ordained members. The two groups are not regarded as different ontologically. One group is not more important or more a member of the Church than the other. Both categories have rights and obligations in the Church.
All who are baptized or are received into the Church are regarded as Christ’s faithful. The term “Christ’s faithful” applies to all baptized Christians regardless of their state or rank in the Church. As one is baptized or received into the Church, he or she gains membership by the virtue of the baptism that is recognized as sacramental.
According to c. 228 of the 1983 Code of Canon Law lay people who are qualified and suitable can be admitted to ecclesiastical offices and functions by the sacred pastors. This paves a way for the active lay involvement in the life and work of the Church.
However, there are limits to lay ministries. These limits need to be observed so that there will be harmony and understanding among all those who are involved in ministries in the Church. Observance and respect of the limits to one’s ministry will remove the situations that can cause conflict between lay persons who are admitted to exercise offices and functions in the Church, and the clergy.
Table of Contents
- A. Introduction
- 1. Authorization of Lay Ministries
- 2. General Requirements for the Exercise of Ecclesiastical Offices and Functions
- 3. Procedure of Admission of Lay Faithful to Ecclesiastical Offices and Functions
- 4. Application of the Term 'Ministry' to Lay Activities in the Church
- 5. Limit to Lay Ministry
- 6. Loss of Ecclesiastical Offices and Functions
- a) Loss of office/function by reason of expiry of predetermined time
- b) Loss of office/function by reason of reaching the age limit
- c) Loss of office/function by resignation
- d) Loss of office/function by reason of transfer
- e) Loss of office/function by reason of removal
- f) Loss of office by reason of deprivation
- B. Lay Persons and Ecclesiastical Offices/Functions
- C. Categories of Lay Ministries
- 1. Lay ministries: Teaching Office
- a) Catechists
- b) Lay Preacher
- c) Theology Teachers
- d) Lay Missionaries
- e) Mass Media Evangelizers
- 2. Lay Ministries: Sanctifying Office (Liturgical Ministries)
- a) Instituted or Installed Acolyte
- b) Extraordinary Ministers of the Holy Communion
- c) Instituted or Installed Lectors
- d) Commissioned Readers
- e) Leaders of Public Prayer
- f) Altar Servers or Knights (and Ladies) of the Blessed Sacrament
- g) Psalmists
- h) Commentators
- i) Cantors or Music Directors
- j) Sacristans
- k) Choir
- l) Organists, drummers, guitarists, trumpeters, etc.
- m) Church Ushers
- n) Collectors
- o) Masters of Ceremony (Liturgical team)
- p) Presiders of Funeral Services
- q) Assistants at Marriages
- r) Extraordinary Minister of Baptism
- 3. Lay Ministries: Governing Office (Pastoral Ministries)
- a) Judges in Ecclesiastical Tribunals
- b) Assessors
- c) Auditors
- d) Chancellors or Notaries
- e) Promoters of Justice
- f) Defenders of the Bond
- g) Parish Pastoral Administrators
- h) Diocesan and Parish Pastoral Council Members
- i) Finance Administrators
- j) Diocesan Finance Committee Members
- k) Parish Finance Committee Members
- l) Social Action Group Members
- D. Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
The objective of this text is to explore the roles and functions of lay faithful in the Catholic Church, particularly as defined by the 1983 Code of Canon Law. It aims to clarify the authorization, requirements, and limitations of lay ministries, highlighting the significant shift in the understanding of lay participation compared to the 1917 Code.
- The evolution of the role of the laity in the Catholic Church.
- The different categories of lay ministries (teaching, sanctifying, governing).
- The legal framework governing the admission and removal of lay persons from ecclesiastical offices and functions.
- The significance of the 1983 Code of Canon Law in defining lay participation.
- The distinction between clergy and laity within the Church.
Chapter Summaries
A. Introduction: This introductory section sets the stage for the entire text by establishing the historical context of lay involvement in the Church. It contrasts the early Church’s unified structure with the later distinction between clergy and laity, emphasizing that while these groups are ontologically equal, their roles have historically differed. The introduction highlights the increased focus on the laity's role in the Church as reflected in the Vatican II documents, contrasting this with the 1917 Code of Canon Law, which gave less attention to the laity’s contributions. The passage emphasizes the numerical dominance of lay members within the Church and the historical disparity between this numerical reality and the limited roles afforded to lay people. The chapter concludes by highlighting the importance of the 1983 Code of Canon Law in establishing the juridical standing and role of the laity within the Church.
B. Lay Persons and Ecclesiastical Offices/Functions: This chapter (details absent from provided text) would likely delve into the specifics of what constitutes an "ecclesiastical office or function" as it applies to lay persons. This would involve clarifying the nature of these positions, the authority they hold, and their relationship to the ordained clergy. It might also discuss the criteria for suitability and qualification, drawing on Canon Law for definitions. The section would likely detail the types of roles that are open to lay people, the responsibilities associated with those roles and the specific procedures for applying for and accepting those roles.
C. Categories of Lay Ministries: This chapter would provide an in-depth examination of the different types of lay ministries categorized as teaching, sanctifying, and governing. For each category, it would define the specific roles, responsibilities, and requirements for each position. The detailed explanations of each ministry would likely include the specific procedures for appointments, training requirements, and the scope of their authority within the Church structure. The significance of each type of ministry in the overall functioning of the Church would be discussed, highlighting the interconnectedness and interdependence among the various roles. Examples of each lay ministry’s contribution would help to illustrate their importance within the larger context of Catholic life.
D. Conclusion: (Summary excluded as per instructions)
Keywords
Lay ministry, Catholic Church, Canon Law, 1983 Code of Canon Law, clergy, laity, ecclesiastical offices, functions, teaching office, sanctifying office, governing office, liturgical ministries, pastoral ministries, Vatican II.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Guide to Lay Ministries in the Catholic Church
What is the purpose of this document?
This document provides a comprehensive overview of lay ministries within the Catholic Church, as defined by the 1983 Code of Canon Law. It explores the authorization, requirements, limitations, and various categories of lay ministries, highlighting the evolution of lay participation compared to previous codes.
What are the key themes explored in this text?
The text explores the evolution of the laity's role in the Catholic Church; the categorization of lay ministries into teaching, sanctifying, and governing roles; the legal framework governing the appointment and removal of lay individuals from ecclesiastical offices; the significance of the 1983 Code of Canon Law; and the distinction between clergy and laity.
What are the main categories of lay ministries discussed?
The document categorizes lay ministries into three main areas: Teaching Office (including catechists, lay preachers, theology teachers, etc.), Sanctifying Office (Liturgical Ministries, encompassing roles like extraordinary ministers of communion, lectors, altar servers, etc.), and Governing Office (Pastoral Ministries, involving positions such as parish pastoral administrators, diocesan council members, finance administrators, etc.).
What is the significance of the 1983 Code of Canon Law?
The 1983 Code of Canon Law is central to this text. It provides the legal framework defining the roles, responsibilities, and limitations of lay ministries within the Catholic Church. The text highlights the significant changes in the understanding and role of lay participation compared to the previous 1917 Code.
What are the procedures for admission to and loss of ecclesiastical offices and functions for lay people?
The document outlines the procedures for admission to lay ministries, including general requirements. It also details various reasons for the loss of an ecclesiastical office or function, such as expiry of term, reaching the age limit, resignation, transfer, removal, or deprivation.
How does this text define the difference between clergy and laity?
While acknowledging the ontological equality of clergy and laity, the text highlights the historical differences in their roles and responsibilities within the Church. The increasing emphasis on lay participation, especially as reflected in Vatican II documents and the 1983 Code of Canon Law, is a central theme.
What specific lay ministries are detailed in the text?
The text provides extensive lists of specific lay ministries within each of the three categories (Teaching, Sanctifying, and Governing). These lists include detailed examples of roles and responsibilities associated with each ministry.
What is the historical context of lay involvement in the Church?
The introductory section establishes a historical context, comparing the early Church's unified structure with the later distinction between clergy and laity. It emphasizes the numerical dominance of lay members and the evolving recognition of their vital contributions throughout Church history.
What are the key words associated with this text?
Key words include: Lay ministry, Catholic Church, Canon Law, 1983 Code of Canon Law, clergy, laity, ecclesiastical offices, functions, teaching office, sanctifying office, governing office, liturgical ministries, pastoral ministries, Vatican II.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Ignatius Ayivor (Autor:in), 2010, Ministries and functions the lay faithful can exercise in the Catholic church, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/377969
