The Second Vatican Council, which so greatly influenced the church in the 20th century and continues to have an impact on us as we move into the 21st century, concluded in 1965. An extraordinary synod was called by Pope John Paul II in 1985 to celebrate, examine and promote the application of the teaching of the Second Vatican Council as it celebrated the 20th anniversary of its conclusion.

In the light of that important discussion, the next ordinary assembly of the synod of bishops, which convened in Rome in the fall of 1987, was devoted to the theme of the vocation and mission of lay people in the church and in the world. It was not a coincidence. The Second Vatican Council highlighted the role of the laity and challenged all of us to address more vigorously our baptismal gifts and the obligations that flow from them.

Challenge of baptism

It was in the last session of the council that the Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity (“Apostolicam Actuositatem”) was approved. It reminded the whole church that lay Christians — like the clergy and men and women in consecrated life — are entrusted by God with the apostolate by virtue of their baptism and confirmation. They have the right and duty, individually or grouped in associations, to make the message of salvation known and accepted by all people throughout the world.

This document was a resounding affirmation of the place of lay people in the work of the church. More than 99 percent of the membership of the church is comprised of lay women and lay men. The teaching office of the church emphasized that it is to this vast throng of disciples of Jesus that the work of evangelization and sanctification is entrusted.

Imagine what the world would be like if every baptized Catholic accepted the challenge to share the faith with every other person and to live out the call to holiness wherever he or she might be — in the midst of the family, at work, in the public sector — wherever we live and work and experience God’s grace.

This is part of the vision that Pope John Paul II communicates in the post-synodal apostolic exhortation “Christifideles Laici.” He begins the document, published Dec. 30, 1988, on the feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, with a reminder of the richness of the teaching of the Second Vatican Council and how “the council fathers, re-echoing the call of Christ, have summoned all of the lay faithful, both women and men, to labor in the vineyard” (2.5).

Focus on the laity

It is not surprising that our Holy Father, who was a council father and who experienced the outpouring of the Spirit and the energy of the council deliberations resulting in a renewed focus on the laity, would turn his attention and that of the whole church to something that is intrinsic to the life of the church.

Sometimes, we hear that the increasing emphasis on the role of the laity in the life of the church today is the result of the shortage of priests and religious. Yet, both the Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity and its timing tell us something else. At a time when vocations were at their highest point, the church called the laity to assume their responsibility bestowed on them in baptism and confirmation to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The laity particularly are called to transform the temporal order which is their special domain.

In the apostolic exhortation, our Holy Father uses the image of the vineyard, specifically Jesus’ words to “go into my vineyard.” This challenge is not given only to priests and religious. The vineyard also awaits cultivation by all who will undertake the task. In the introduction, the pope tells us that “the words ‘you go into my vineyard too ...’ were re-echoed in spirit once again.” The synod “treated in a specific and extensive manner the topic of the vocation and mission of the lay faithful in the church and in the world” (2.6).

It is interesting to note that in this assembly of bishops “there was not lacking a qualified representation of the lay faithful, both women and men, which rendered a valuable contribution to the synod proceedings” (2.7).

Need for active involvement

In issuing the reminder to the lay faithful of their important role in spreading the Gospel, our Holy Father points out that there is a particularly pressing need in the world today. Again echoing the words of Jesus, the pope asks, “Why do you stand here idle all day?” “A new state of affairs today, both in the church and in social, economic, political and cultural life, calls with a particular urgency for the action of the lay faithful” (3.2).

Oftentimes, we experience that when something happens in our community, or when laws are enacted challenging some of our most cherished convictions, church leadership will hear from some people, “Why doesn’t the church do something about this?” While it is true that clergy are called to proclaim the Gospel, it is equally true that lay women and lay men are challenged to apply the Gospel to the circumstances of our day.

It is not enough to presume that the hierarchy alone will address serious social and moral problems in our society. Everyone has to be involved and take an active role. We sometimes hear politicians say that while they may hear from bishops and priests on specific issues, they do not hear much from significant portions of the Catholic laity. If that is true, we must change it.

The voice and engagement of the laity will ultimately determine the direction of our society. The voice of Catholic physicians needs to be heard in the area of medicine. Catholic lawyers need to speak out on the ethics involved in the practice of the law. Catholic parents should be involved in educational issues. Numerous other examples are available to all of us. This is what the apostolic exhortation “Christifideles Laici” addresses. “It is necessary, then, to keep a watchful eye on this our world, with its problems and values, its unrest and hopes, its defeats and triumphs: a world whose economic, social, political and cultural affairs pose problems and grave difficulties …” (3.6).

In the Catholic tradition, the laity have a particular responsibility for the social and political order. Responsible citizenship is recognized as a virtue and participation in the political process is a moral obligation. It is for this reason that believers are called to become informed, active and responsible participants in the political process. It is precisely because of our faith convictions that we bring a dimension to the political process that might otherwise be missing, and we contribute to the building of a good and just society.