NYC Catholics discuss their role as laity in the Church

Last week, our NY-Metro chapter gathered with a few questions on their mind. "What does the prophetic element of the baptismal priesthood mean for the way Catholic laypeople must exercise their ministry, both to the world and in the church? How are we prophets to the world and when must we be prophetic towards our own community of faith?" asked the announcement for a discussion hosted by Dr. Paul Lakeland.

The discussion, titled "Back to Baptism: the Apostolic Role of the Laity" expanded on a topic that Dr. Paul Lakeland has presented on at our Annual Conference.  "He noted the ministry of the laity is essentially to the secular; the laity are called upon to evangelize the world but as the People of God they also have a ministry within the Church," reports Robert, who helped organize the event. "The ministry of the laity is inherent in their Baptism and does not come from the hierarchy."  He also talked about their leadership role within the hierarchy of the church, and the need for more women leaders in the leadership of the Roman congregations.

Dr. Lakeland is a professor and author who has written many books including, Catholicism at the Crossroads: How the Laity Can Save the Church and A Council That Will Never End: Lumen Gentium and the Church Today.  He is always a popular speaker at CTA chapter events and our Annual Conference, inspiring us to embrace our rights and responsibility to co-create the Church we know is possible!