Instruction on Certain Questions Regarding the Collaboration of the Non-ordained Faithful in the Sacred Ministry of Priests

Issued in August 1997 under the auspices of no fewer than eight Vatican Offices, and approved in forma specifica by Pope John Paul II, this Instruction seeks to clarify issues relating to new forms of 'pastoral activity' among the non-ordained faithful. Against a background of concern over shortages of priests on the one hand, and evidence of a real flowering of vocations on the other, and in response to a variety of difficult and emergency pastoral situations in different parts of the world, this document witnesses eloquently to the Church's desire to ensure a correct understanding of true ecclesial communion.

In the Instruction, specific practical directives are laid out with the intention of ensuring the effective collaboration of the non-ordained faithful with the clergy in a variety of situations, while safeguarding the integrity of the pastoral ministry of priests. The underlying concern of this document is not to defend clerical privileges, but rather to be obedient to the will of Christ, and to respect the constitutive form which he indelibly impressed on his Church. As Pope John Paul II has himself stated, the particular gift of each of the Church's members must be wisely and carefully acknowledged, safeguarded, promoted, discerned and co-ordinated, with special care being taken not to confuse roles, functions or theological and canonical status. It is in this spirit of promoting the true vocation of the non-ordained faithful that the Church has given us this document.

This document calls a halt to the blurring of the distinctions between clergy and laity. Practices such as the habitual use of Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist at Mass, and the giving of such titles as "chaplain" to members of the laity "must be eliminated".

Praising the way in which laity participate in the whole mission of the Church, the Holy See reminds us that the lay apostolate must be grounded on sound doctinal principles.

Instruction on Certain Questions Regarding the Collaboration of the Non-ordained Faithful in the Sacred Ministry of Priests.
40 pages, stapled. ISBN 1 86082 128 X.
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