Supporting the mission of the lay faithful in the Church and in society

P. Alexandre Awi during the meeting

On 8 July last, Father Alexandre Awi, secretary of our Dicastery, spoke at a meeting of lay people in Buenos Aires that was organised by the department of the laity of the Argentinian Bishops’ Conference (DEPLAI). More than 500 people took part in the meeting.

In his talk, Father Alexandre spoke of Pope Francis' invitation to live fully our identity as laity and the vocation we received through baptism. He also spoke of the projects that the Dicastery is carrying out in the area of the formation of the lay faithful.

While referring to three major documents by Pope Francis on the laity - Evangelii Gaudium, Gaudete et Exsultate and the Letter to the President of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America -, Father Alexandre insisted on the vital role of the laity in the Church in proclaiming Christ in the heart of society and in supporting the pastors in order to "eradicate the vice of clericalism". He then highlighted the need for "lay leadership, especially for women" and the risk that lay people might succumb to Pelagianism or Gnosticism. He also highlighted some proposals for strengthening the mission of the lay faithful in society - through popular piety, the universal call to holiness of the People of God and the importance of the spiritual life and prayer.

Before concluding, he explained the mission and objectives of the Dicastery with regard to the development and training of the laity. He spoke of the congress on the formation of the laity that took place last September, and some of the initiatives that take place throughout the world in the area of lifelong education.