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23. Whether the lay apostolate is exercised by the faithful as
individuals or as members of organizations, it should be incorporated
into the apostolate of the whole Church according to a right system of
relationships. Indeed, union with those whom the Holy Spirit has
assigned to rule His Church (cf. Acts 20:28) is an essential
element of the Christian apostolate. No less necessary is cooperation
among various projects of the apostolate which must be suitably directed
by the hierarchy.
Indeed, the spirit of unity should be promoted in order that fraternal
charity may be resplendent in the whole apostolate of the Church,
common goals may be attained, and destructive rivalries avoided. For
this there is need for mutual esteem among all the forms of the
apostolate in the Church and, with due respect for the particular
character of each organization, proper coordination.[35] This is
most fitting since a particular activity in the Church requires harmony
and apostolic cooperation on the part of both branches of the clergy,
the Religious, and the laity.
24. The hierarchy should promote the apostolate of the laity,
provide it with spiritual principles and support, direct the conduct of
this apostolate to the common good of the Church, and attend to the
preservation of doctrine and order.
Indeed, the lay apostolate admits of different types of relationships
with the hierarchy in accordance with the various forms and objects of
this apostolate. For in the Church there are many apostolic
undertakings which are established by the free choice of the laity and
regulated by their prudent judgment. The mission of the Church can be
better accomplished in certain circumstances by undertakings of this
kind, and therefore they are frequently praised or recommended by the
hierarchy.[36] No project, however, may claim the name
"Catholic" unless it has obtained the consent of the lawful Church
authority.
Certain forms of the apostolate of the laity are given explicit
recognition by the hierarchy, though in various ways.
Because of the demands of the common good of the Church, moreover,
ecclesiastical authority can select and promote in a particular way some
of the apostolic associations and projects which have an immediately
spiritual purpose, thereby assuming in them a special responsibility.
Thus, making various dispositions of the apostolate according to
circumstances, the hierarchy joins some particular form of it more
closely with its own apostolic function. Yet the proper nature and
distinctiveness of each apostolate must be preserved, and the laity
must not be deprived of the possibility of acting on their own accord.
In various Church documents this procedure of the hierarchy is called
a mandate.
Finally, the hierarchy entrusts to the laity certain functions which
are more closely connected with pastoral duties, such as the teaching
of Christian doctrine, certain liturgical actions, and the care of
souls. By virtue of this mission, the laity are fully subject to
higher ecclesiastical control in the performance of this work.
As regards works and institutions in the temporal order, the role of
the ecclesiastical hierarchy is to teach and authentically interpret the
moral principles to be followed in temporal affairs. Furthermore,
they have the right to judge, after careful consideration of all
related matters and consultation with experts, whether or not such
works and institutions conform to moral principles and the right to
decide what is required for the protection and promotion of values of
the supernatural order.
25. Bishops, pastors of parishes, and other priests of both
branches of the clergy should keep in mind that the right and duty to
exercise this apostolate is common to all the faithful, both clergy and
laity, and that the laity also have their own roles in building up the
Church.[37] For this reason they should work fraternally with the
laity in and for the Church and take special care of the lay persons in
these apostolic works.[38]
Special care should be taken to select priests who are capable of
promoting particular forms of the apostolate of the laity and are
properly trained.[39] Those who are engaged in this ministry
represent the hierarchy in their pastoral activity by virtue of the
mission they receive from the hierarchy. Always adhering faithfully to
the spirit and teaching of the Church, they should promote proper
relations been laity and hierarchy. They should devote themselves to
nourishing the spiritual life and an apostolic attitude in the Catholic
societies entrusted to them; they should contribute their wise counsel
to the apostolic activity of these associations and promote their
undertakings. Through continuous dialogue with the laity, these
priests should carefully investigate which forms make apostolic activity
more fruitful. They should promote the spirit of unity within the
association as well as between it and others.
Finally, in keeping with the spirit and norms of their societies,
Religious Brothers and Sisters should value the apostolic works of
the laity and willingly devote themselves to promoting lay
enterprises.[40] They should also strive to support, uphold, and
fulfill priestly functions.
26. In dioceses, insofar as possible, there should be councils
which assist the apostolic work of the Church either in the field of
evangelization and sanctification or in the charitable, social, or
other spheres, and here it is fitting that the clergy and Religious
should cooperate with the laity. While preserving the proper character
and autonomy of each organization, these councils will be able to
promote the mutual coordination of various lay associations and
enterprises.[41]
Councils of this type should be established as far as possible also on
the parochial, interparochial, and interdiocesan level as well as in
the national or international sphere.[42]
A special secretariat, moreover, should be established at the Holy
See for the service and promotion of the lay apostolate. It can serve
as a well-equipped center for communicating information about the
various apostolic programs of the laity, promoting research into modern
problems arising in this field, and assisting the hierarchy and laity
in their apostolic works with its advice. The various movements and
projects of the apostolate of the laity throughout the world should also
be represented in this secretariat, and here clergy and Religious also
are to cooperate with the laity.
27. The quasi-common heritage of the Gospel and the common duty of
Christian witness resulting from it recommend and frequently require
the cooperation of Catholics with other Christians, on the part of
individuals and communities within the Church, either in activities or
in associations, in the national or international field.[43]
Likewise, common human values not infrequently call for cooperation
between Christians pursuing apostolic aims and those who do not profess
Christ's name but acknowledge these values.
By this dynamic and prudent cooperation,[44] which is of special
importance in temporal activities, the laity bear witness to Christ,
the Savior of the world, as well as to the unity of the human family.
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