How to give the laity a greater say

In her column Lay Leaders Arise (January 16-22), Toni Rowland discussed a proposed lay leadership structure, asking readers to let us have their ideas as to how they see this evolving, and how family life and its issues will be incorporated.

In my view, if lay leadership in the Church is going to be strong and effective, it should be based on a holistic approach which includes a clear framework for the development of lay leaders and the involvement of the laity in Church government. Such a framework should include three strong pillars: Lay Leadership Formation, Christian Family Development and a Lay Leaders Council.

Lay Leadership Formation: The first step in building any team of Christian leaders is personal spiritual and leadership development.

Lay leaders should have more influence and more power in the running of the Church. I am also concerned that the struggle to get the laity more involved could become more political than spiritual. Any move to change the status quo to something better should have a strong spiritual foundation: Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labour in vain (Psalm 127).

Those who want to take on leadership responsibilities in the Church should develop a strong personal relationship with God so that they can truly become Christ’s witnesses in the Church and in the world.

The question that arises is how lay leaders can develop a strong personal relationship with God. The answer lies in leadership development and spiritual formation. If we are going to have a strong and effective team of lay leaders, they must clearly understand what distinguishes Christian leadership from secular notions of leadership.

They should also be helped to grow in spirituality so that they can be shining examples of Christian living. Among other things, this involves their prayer life and their involvement in Church matters and world affairs.

Christian Family Development: I am encouraged by the emphasis the Church is putting on the importance of family life. The family is the most basic form of social organisation. It is also a microcosm of the Body of Christ, the Church.

The family is a community and in a Christian family each member is called upon to interact with the other members in a spirit of love and service. In this community every responsible Christian is called upon to love their neighbour as themselves and to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world.

Parents have a key leadership role in the family. They have the responsibility of ensuring that the family truly becomes the Body of Christ in which the priests, women religious and lay leaders of tomorrow are raised and developed. Future parents need to be systematically and thoroughly trained for this sacred but difficult role.

Lay Leaders Council: My idea of what I have called the Lay Leaders Council is that it would operate at diocesan and national levels. Each diocese would have its own council which elects a representative or representatives to the National Lay Leaders Council which would be the overall body, reporting to the bishops conference.

The diocesan council would have a representative on every parish pastoral council, with the member being elected by the parish for a given period of time. The Lay Leaders Council would have to have some authority and be a body whose views are taken seriously by the Church.

It would deal with matters relating to lay leadership, family life, the role of the Church in the world, and with all matters of concern to the laity.