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Monday, July 07, 2003
Be transparent, laity asks church
THE need for model priests and lay leaders, and transparency in the dealings of the parish are what the laity longs for in the practice of their faith.
A summary of the resolutions submitted during the Congress of the Laity of the Archdiocese of Cebu, held last June 22, has “hunger and thirst for holiness” on top of the list, with the need for role models and constant lay formation as ways to address the concern.
The faithful also sees the need for uniformity in policies that govern parishes that would assure continuity of programs even with the transfer of the parish priest.
The resolutions also show the laity wanting to establish “strong rapport” with their parish priests. They want constant dialogues where both of them can freely exchange opinions on matters concerning the parish and the church.
The concerns came amid controversies and scandals involving Catholic priests, from bishops to ordinary parish pastors. But the scandals were not discussed during the congress because it was only supposed to be for the laity’s concerns, church officials said.
The Congress, attended by 212 delegates from 139 parishes, was held with the belief that the laity need ongoing formation as much as the priests. Over 100 resolutions were submitted.
In the resolutions, the laity wants the Church to also commit itself to the poor. This has to have a system. The Basic Ecclesial Communities (BEC) would be an effective venue, together with cooperatives.
“The institution of livelihood programs in the parishes is an overwhelming sentiment in the congress. In this regard, BECs must mature into cooperatives to assist the poor in the community.” Along with this is the laity’s desire to have free clinic and legal services in the parishes.
On BECs, there should be mechanisms to assure their sustainability and development and lay movements and organizations must be given “fresh impetus.”
Aside from BECs, parish pastoral councils should be established too. The laity admit that they need ongoing spiritual formation, including the youth. They want the formation to be specific and focused on particular groups to be more effective.
Lastly, the congress sees the need to establish linkages with government, non-government and people’s organizations.
“The lay faithful recognizes the importance of synergy between the church and secular organizations in solving many social ills,” the archdiocese says in a summary of the resolutions.
The archdiocese came up with the list and published it in its publication Ang Lungsoranon only as an overview of the output of the Congress “not to be taken as comprehensive and specific.” LPN
(July 6, 2003 issue)
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