Inrernational,Journal,of,Social,Service,and,Research,% https://ijssr.ridwaninstitute.co.id/%
IJSSR,Page%3082
RESULTS)
By%laity%we%mean%all%people%of%Christian%faith%who%do%not%belong% to%those%who%receive%holy%orders%
and%recognized%monastic%status%in%the%Church%(cf.%LG%31).%The%lay%deinition%in%practice%and%in%Church%
documents%turns%out%to%have%two%kinds:%
1. Theological% deinition:% Laity% are% unordained% citizens% of% the% Church.% Thus,% Laity% includes%
Monks/Nuns%such%as%Sisters%and%Brothers%who%do%not%receive%holy%orders.%
2. Typological%deinition:%Laity%are%unordained%members%of%the%Church%nor%are%monks/nuns.%Therefore%
the%Laity%does%not%include%the%Sisters%and%Brothers%
3. This%deinition%is%quoted%from%Lumen%Gentium%which%apparently%uses%a%typological%deinition.%And%
henceforth%the%term%"Layman"%used%is%in%accordance%with%the%typological%understanding%above.%
Public,Relations,and,Hierarchies,as,Work,Partners,
In%accordance%with%the%teachings%of%the%Second%Vatican%Council,%clergy%(hierarchies)%and%laity%have%the%
same%dignity,%only%different%functions.%All%functions%are%equally%sublime,%as%long%as%they%are%carried%out%
with%good%motivation,%for%the%sake%of%the%Kingdom%of%God.%
Public,Role,
The%role%of%the%Laity%is%often%termed%as%the%Lay%Apostleship%whose%duties%are%distinguished%as%
internal%and%external%Apostleship.%Internal%apostolate%or%apostolate%"within%the%Church"%is%the%apostolate%
of% building% up% congregations.% This% apostolate% is% more% of% a% hierarchical% rank,% although% the% Laity% are%
required%to% also% take%part% in% it.% The% external% apostolate% or% Apostleship% "in% the%world% order"% is% more%
played%by%the%Laity.%But%it%must%be%realized%that%the%Apostles%in%the%Church%also%boil%down%to%the%world.%
The%Church%is%not%present%in%this%world%for%herself,%but%for%the%world.%The%Church%exists%to%build%the%
Kingdom%of%God%in%this%world%
Hearken,to,Church,Doctrine,
%"From% the% spiritual% wealth% of% the% Church% the% Laity,% like% all% people%of% the% Christian% faith,% are%
entitled%to%receive%abundantly%through%the%ministry%of%hierarchical%Shepherds,%especially%the%help%of%the%
word% of% God% and% the% sacraments.% Let% the% Laity% express% their% needs% and% desires% to% the% Priests,% with%
freedom%and%belief,%as%befits%the%children%of%God%and%the%brethren%in%Christ.%It%is%only%their%knowledge,%
competence%and %capacity%that%the%Laity%have%the%opportunity,%sometimes%even%the%obligation,%to%express%
their%views%on%matters%concerning%the%welfare%of%the%Church.%When%that%happens,%let%it%be%carried%out%
through%the%institutions%established%by%the%church%for%it,%and%always%honestly,%firmly%and%wisely,%with%
respect%and%love%towards%those,%who%by%sacred%duty%act%in%the%name%of%Christ.%
Let% the% Laity,% like% all% people% of% the% Christian% faith,% follow% the% example% of% Christ,% who% by% his%
obedience%unto%death,%opened%a%happy%way%for%all,%the%way%of%freedom%of%God's%children.%Let%them%with%
Christian%obedience%be%willing%to%accept%what%the%hierarchical%Shepherds%ordained%insofar%as%presenting%
Christ,%as%teacher%and%leader%in%the%Church.%And%let%them%not%forget%to%pray%in%the%presence%of%God%their%
leaders,%for%they%watch%because%they%will%give%an%account%of%our%souls,%that%they%may%exercise%gladly%
without%complaint%(cf.%Hebrews%13:1).%
Instead,%hierarchical%Pastors%should%recognize%and%promote%the%dignity%and%responsibility%of%the%
Laity%in%the%Church.%And%let%them%be%given%liberty%and%freedom%to%act;%In%fact,%they%deserve%to%be%given%
heart,%to%spontaneously%start%activities%as%well.%Let%the%Shepherds%with%fatherly%love,%attentive%in%Christ,%
consider%the% initiatives,% proposals% and% desires% put% forward% by% the% Laity.% Let% the% Shepherds% carefully%
recognize%the%proper%freedom%that%exists%in%all%citizens%of%the%worldly%community.%
From% the% fraternal% association% between% the% Laity% and% the% Shepherds% can% be% expected% many%
benefits%for%the% Church.% Thus%the%laity% are% strengthened%responsible%awareness% and% increased%spirit.%
Moreover,%the%labor%of%the%Laity%is%more%easily%combined%with%the%work%of%the%Shepherds.%Rather,%aided%
by%the%experience%of%the%Laity,%the%Shepherds%were%able%to%make%clearer%and%more%accurate%affirmations%
in%spiritual%and%temporal%matters.%Thus%the%whole%Church,%confirmed%by%all%its%members,%will%perform%
more%precisely%its%mission%for%the%life%of%the%world.%(Lumen%Gentium%article%37)%
Apostleship,in,the,World,Order,(external),