During the first two months of 2012, the Pontifical Council for the Laity received the visita ad limina apostolorum of the United States bishops from Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Virgin Islands, Virginia and West Virginia, Alabama, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, and the Archdiocese for the Military Services. All of the bishops spoke highly of the generosity of the lay faithful in the work of apostolate and in social issues. The lay faithful are taking on important roles in the administration and life of Christian communities.
One of the main challenges is the drop in participation in the sacramental life. Another challenge is the influx of immigrants, most of whom are Hispanics. They bring new vitality to Christian communities, but their faith is not always mature and they are susceptible to the propaganda of sects and religious nomadism. The level of Christian education of people generally is not proportionate to their professional qualifications, and therefore secularisation and consumerism find fertile territory. The Church in America tries to respond by increasing possibilities for Christian instruction at all levels. Notable efforts are being made to reach out to the laity through the mass media, new technologies and social networks, as well as directly in the city streets and squares.
A network of associations concentrate on the education and support of families, and youth associations are very active. In some dioceses the need is felt to offer greater possibilities for ecclesial movements and new communities. Of all these signs of “renewed outpouring of the Spirit” as Cardinal Ratzinger once called them, preference is given to some lay groups that are regarded as gifts of God to the Church in America. These include the Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Charismatic Renewal. Some of the bishops expressed their satisfaction on noting that there is a section dedicated to sport in our dicastery. This is a sign of the Church’s concern for an area that needs to regain its ethical and educational dimension and distance itself from the logic of profit and fanaticism.
Cardinal Ryłko and Bishop Clemens thanked the bishops and told them to encourage their priests not to give in to discouragement but to intensify their efforts to provide the lay faithful with Christian instruction. The lay faithful need to put God back into the centre of their lives and to rediscover their Christian identity. Great care needs to be given to their Christian initiation. The cardinal reminded the bishops to give special attention to young people. He also asked them to give associations and movements the freedom and space to develop their charism and at the same time to become inserted in the fabric of the local Church. He also pointed out that there is a risk of the clericalisation of the laity. Care must be taken to respect the distinct roles of the ordained clergy and the lay faithful so that the laity may not lose their “secular character”.
The American bishops expressed their joy and gratitude for World Youth Day because it continues to give a boost to youth ministry and it gives rise to many vocations. They spoke of how the Madrid WYD was an experience for the young people of the beauty of faith and of a Church that is a friend and guide. Rev. Eric Jacquinet, head of the Youth Section, expressed gratitude and satisfaction for the large participation of young Americans in WYD. He also spoke about the preparations being made for WYD in Rio 2013, and of the importance of the message for World Youth Day that the Pope addresses to young people every year. It is a useful tool in preparing for WYD, and it also provides orientation for bishops in these times of emergency in education.
