TITLE II:
THE OBLIGATIONS AND RIGHTS OF THE LAY MEMBERS OF CHRIST'S FAITHFUL
(Cann. 224 - 231)
Can.
224 Lay members of Christ's faithful have the duties and rights enumerated in
the canons of this title, in addition to those duties and rights which are
common to all Christ's faithful and those stated in other canons.
Can.
225 §1 Since lay people, like all Christ's faithful, are deputed to the
apostolate by baptism and confirmation, they are bound by the general
obligation and they have the right, whether as individuals or in associations,
to strive so that the divine message of salvation may be known and accepted by
all people throughout the world. This obligation is all the more insistent in
circumstances in which only through them are people able to hear the Gospel and
to know Christ.
§2 They
have also, according to the condition of each, the special obligation to
permeate and perfect the temporal order of things with the spirit of the
Gospel. In this way, particularly in conducting secular business and exercising
secular functions, they are to give witness to Christ.
Can.
226 §1 Those who are married are bound by the special obligation, in accordance
with their own vocation, to strive for the building up of the people of God
through their marriage and family.
§2 Because
they gave life to their children, parents have the most serious obligation and
the right to educate them. It is therefore primarily the responsibility of
christian parents to ensure the christian education of their children in
accordance with the teaching of the Church.
Can.
227 To lay members of Christ's faithful belongs the right to have acknowledged
as theirs that freedom in secular affairs which is common to all citizens. In
using this freedom, however, they are to ensure that their actions are
permeated with the spirit of the Gospel, and they are to heed the teaching of
the Church proposed by the magisterium, but they must be on guard, in questions
of opinion, against proposing their own view as the teaching of the Church.
Can.
228 §1 Lay people who are found to be suitable are capable of being admitted by
the sacred Pastors to those ecclesiastical offices and functions which, in
accordance with the provisions of law, they can discharge.
§2 Lay
people who are outstanding in the requisite knowledge, prudence and integrity,
are capable of being experts or advisors, even in councils in accordance with
the law, in order to provide assistance to the Pastors of the Church.
Can.
229 §1 Lay people have the duty and the right to acquire the knowledge of
christian teaching which is appropriate to each one's capacity and condition,
so that they may be able to live according to this teaching, to proclaim it and
if necessary to defend it, and may be capable of playing their part in the
exercise of the apostolate.
§2 They
also have the right to acquire that fuller knowledge of the sacred sciences
which is taught in ecclesiastical universities or faculties or in institutes of
religious sciences, attending lectures there and acquiring academic degrees.
§3
Likewise, assuming that the provisions concerning the requisite suitability
have been observed, they are capable of receiving from the lawful
ecclesiastical authority a mandate to teach the sacred sciences.
Can.
230 §1 Lay men whose age and talents meet the requirements prescribed by decree
of the Episcopal Conference, can be given the stable ministry of lector and of
acolyte, through the prescribed liturgical rite. This conferral of ministry
does not, however, give them a right to sustenance or remuneration from the
Church.
§2 Lay
people can receive a temporary assignment to the role of lector in liturgical
actions. Likewise, all lay people can exercise the roles of commentator, cantor
or other such, in accordance with the law.
§3 Where
the needs of the Church require and ministers are not available, lay people,
even though they are not lectors or acolytes, can supply certain of their
functions, that is, exercise the ministry of the word, preside over liturgical
prayers, confer baptism and distribute Holy Communion, in accordance with the
provisions of the law.
Can.
231 §1 Lay people who are pledged to the special service of the Church, whether
permanently or for a time, have a duty to acquire the appropriate formation
which their role demands, so that they may conscientiously, earnestly and
diligently fulfil this role.
§2 Without
prejudice to the provisions of can. 230 §1, they have the right to a worthy
remuneration befitting their condition, whereby, with due regard also to the
provisions of the civil law, they can becomingly provide for their own needs
and the needs of their families. Likewise, they have the right to have their
insurance, social security and medical benefits duly safeguarded.
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