'Formation' of the laity in the Church today : the task ahead

Abstract

This dissertation will try to explore the meaning, purpose, content and methods of the formation of lay people that will then enable them to continue the mission of the Church. Chapter One will answer the questions: Who are the lay people in the Church? What is their vocation? Starting off from Christ's sending of his disciples "Go, therefore, make disciples of all nations" (Mt 28: 19a), and then going through the documents of Vatican II and later encyclicals, the identity and call of lay people will be made clear. This sharing of the lay faithful in the ecclesial mission calls for basic formation. The need for this formation has been urgently felt after the Second Vatican Council. Formation is not just training, instruction or education but it has to take into account the varied aspects of the ministerial participation and pastoral involvement of lay people in the life and mission of the Church. Chapter Two outlines the need and the objectives of this formation. The third chapter deals with the content of a holistic formation and the various methods in use today. A holistic formation has become even more important when one considers the challenges facing the Church today. The evangelisation of cultures necessitates the continuous evangelisation of the self by means of the Scriptures with due importance to be given also to general culture linked with practical and technical training. Chapter Four discusses how these 'formed' lay people, though still in need of ongoing formation, will be able to identify their charisms, so that they can then be put to use in the various ministries. As individuals, but more so as a community, these lay people, together with the ordained ministers will continue the mission of the Church. This includes preaching the Good News, teaching by word and example the gospel values, promoting social justice and being a unifying and participative community in society. New forms of ministry have to be explored and new roles have to be provided for both the ordained and the non-ordained so that the lay person can fully participate in the pastoral work of the Church. But, above all, collaboration has to be understood and practised. Chapter Five takes a look at the local situation. Collaboration between the ordained and lay ministers and between the lay groups themselves leaves much to be desired. Lay people feel the need for spiritual and doctrinal formation and training especially in facilitation and leadership skills. There have been various attempts at parish and diocesan level at providing adult catechesis and other specialist courses; but to avoid repetition and overlapping, a central office could be set up to cater for the formation of lay people and provide a course professionally produced and delivered, and tailormade to the Maltese pastoral situation.