In order to be effective and efficiently work in accordance with the mind of Christ, Priests and the laity in the West African country of Ghana have been urged to collaborate or work together so that their souls and those of many others may be saved.
The Very Rev. Fr. John Kobina Louis, Vicar General of Accra, who made the call at an orientation for new Parish Pastoral Councillors of the Kaneshie and Mamprobi Deaneries on Saturday, January 14 at the St. Theresa’s Parish, Kaneshie, said the tasks of parish ministry are enormous which cannot be carried out solely by the priests who are the leaders nor solely by the laity.
He said the priests have been trained, ordained and entrusted with the leadership role in the sharing of the threefold ministry of Christ but on the other hand, the laity are not mere “customers” of services, but they also have experience, spiritual gifts and expertise that could facilitate the constant improvement of the practices of the various aspects of parish ministry.
Making reference to Vatican II’s Lumen gentium (“The Dogmatic Constitution of the Church”), the Vicar General said “The laity have the right, as do all Christians, to receive in abundance from their spiritual shepherds the spiritual goods of the Church, especially the assistance of the word of God and of the sacraments.”
“They [laity] should openly reveal to them [priests] their needs and desires with that freedom and confidence which is fitting for children of God and brothers [and sisters] in Christ,” he said.
According to Fr. Louis, “They (laity) are, by reason of the knowledge, competence or outstanding ability which they may enjoy, permitted and sometimes even obliged to express their opinion on those things which concern the good of the Church.”
He said the Vatican document emphasises that “When occasions arise, let this be done through the organs erected by the Church for this purpose. Let it always be done in truth, in courage and in prudence, with reverence and charity toward those who by reason of their sacred office represent the person of Christ.”
“Let the spiritual shepherds recognize and promote the dignity as well as the responsibility of the laity in the Church,” he stated, adding, “Let them willingly employ their prudent advice.”
The Accra Vicar General stressed on the need for the laity to be confidently assigned duties in the service of the Church, allowing them freedom and room for action.
“Let them (Priests) encourage lay people so that they may undertake tasks on their own initiative. Attentively in Christ, let them consider with fatherly love the projects, suggestions and desires proposed by the laity. …”
He said as PPC members, while bringing on board their wealth of resources, they should also harness those of other parishioners to assist the priests to periodically review the practices of the threefold ministry (Sanctification, Prophetic or Teaching, Shepherding or ruling) in the parish and to seek credible ways – which accord with Catholic doctrines – to enhance them for the salvation of more souls.
By Damian Avevor
