1.      The necessity of “manpower”

The ‘70s saw the beginning of the decrease in effective forces because of the drop in vocations,

because of exits and aging. Contemporaneously the complexity of managing apostolic works increased, and consequently an increased workload. It is particularly evident in institutes that have social works, assistance works, hospitals, schools. Insertion of laity happens in the places considered “secondary”. It is absolutely necessary to put lay persons in the places left “vacant” by religious men and women.

            The ever more numerous presence of lay persons in the works is not felt to be a positive reality in itself, but as a “lesser evil” indispensable to assure the survival of the Institute. Lay persons are placed in the apostolic activities more by necessity than by conviction; they are considered “helpers”, “collaborators”, “employees”, “dependents”. They do not intervene in fundamental decisions and there is no specific function in the ecclesiological order recognized for them.

            The progressive insertion of laity, who gradually make up the majority of the workers, transforms family management of apostolic works into businesses, in which the religious have become employers. Union opposition is not infrequent, also because the religious community, accustomed to family style management, is not attentive to respecting contractual elements typical of business management.