Forum: Identity and mission of lay people in a synodal Church
Reflecting on lay apostolate and lay ministry in the light of Vatican II
60th anniversary of Lumen Gentium
Rome, 9-13 October 2024
Location:
Villa Lante, Via di S. Francesco di Sales, 18, 00165 Roma RM, Italy
Organisers
International Catholic Movement for Intellectual and Cultural Affairs – ICMICA
Australian Cardijn Institute (Australia)
Centro Internacional Cardijn (Bogota, Colombia)
Centre International Cardijn (Lille, France)
Cardijn Community International Africa
Laudato Si’ Centre (Chiang Mai, Thailand)
Sponsors
International Young Christian Workers – IYCW
International Coordination of Young Christian Workers – ICYCW
International Young Catholic Students – IYCS
International Movement of Catholic Agricultural and Rural Youth – MIJARC
International Movement of Catholic Students IMCS
World Movement of Christian Workers WMCW
MIDADE
MIAMSI
Objectives
- To highlight the importance of the lay apostolate as understood by Cardijn and the Second Vatican Council (Lumen Gentium 31, Gaudium et Spes 43, Apostolicam Actuositatem 1)
- To showcase the work of the lay apostolate movements
- To promote networking and cooperation between those movements
- To ensure that the Synod on Synodality has a full understanding of the Vatican II conception of lay apostolate in its deliberations
- To discuss current issues relating to the promotion of the lay apostolate, current issues facing our movements, etc
Concrete outcomes
- Declaration on the importance of promoting the lay apostolate as understood at Vatican II (LG31, GS43)
- Proposals for reform of the Dicastery on Laity in line with Apostolicam Actuositatem 26
- Plan of cooperation for the MIACS movements: issues (environment?), formation, research, finance (launch a fundraising foundation?)
Draft program outline
Wednesday 9 October
Morning: Optional program: Participation in General Audience with Pope Francis at St Peter’s Basilica
5.00pm: Official opening
Introductions
Opening mass and celebration
Celebrant: To be announced
Thursday 10 October
From Lumen Gentium & Gaudium et Spes to Laudato Si’ & Laudate Deum: Issues and action
Panel discussions with representatives from various movements
Workshops to share and reflect on their experience of lay apostolate in their milieux, movements, parishes, dioceses, countries…
Keynote presentation
Claudio Remeseira, School of Social Sciences, Universidad de Buenos Aires, The Argentinian origins of the Theology of the People during the 1960s
Friday 11 October
Participation and importance of the lay apostolate in building a synodal church
Keynote presentations based on Lumen Gentium Chapter 4 on The Laity, Gaudium et Spes 43, Apostolicam Actuositatem
Eric Mahieu, Yves Congar’s Theology of the Laity
Coffee
(Hybrid Panel) Biographies of outstanding members of the laity for their participation in social action, political life, international and ecclesial mission (figures of the various movements).
Keynote presentations
Alana Harris/Katharine Massam: Rosemary Goldie
Patricia Jones: Patrick Keegan
Workshops with papers from researchers
Keynote presentation
Professor Danièle Hervieu-Léger, sociologist of religion, École des hautes études en sciences sociales, Paris
Professor Ana Maria Bidegain, Pax Romana ICMICA, Latin America/USA
Evening: Conference dinner
Saturday 12 October
Morning: Social action today and transformation of the labor market. Ethical Proposals
Catholic Social Forum/Synodal exchange of perspectives.
The role of lay people in the development of social action of the Church
Impact of artificial intelligence on the labor market/ethical proposal.
Workshops to develop proposals for action:
- By participants
- Promoting cooperation between movements
- Proposals addressed to the Synod
Afternoon
Mass at the Domitilla Catacombs
Adopt a lay-centred Pact of the Catacombs modelled on Cardijn’s consecration to the working class and the poor
Evening: Dinner with Mass participants including Synod participants in Rome restaurant
Sunday 13 October
60th anniversary of Patrick Keegan’s speech to Vatican II
Morning: Mass at Cardijn’s Rome parish of St Michael Archangel, Pietralata
Reaffirmation of the Pietralata Appeal/Message
Departures.
NB Longer stays must be booked in advance, subject to availability!