Lay Missionaries

Catechists, then, are native lay apostles. But there is also an apostolate for foreign lay and lay-assistant missionaries. Doctors, engineers, manual laborers in various fields should support the work of the missionary priest by their good example and their professional activities, and above all by the training they can give the natives. Along with professional training, or after its completion, these lay missionaries should be given a spiritual training orientated toward their missionary work. Twelve such movements are now in existence, coordinated by a Secretariat General in Milan. But the lay missionary movement i3 just beginning to develop and can only accept an elite.

With regard to its economy, 70 percent of Asia is an agricultural region, and it has been said with truth that the farmer is both the most important and the most neglected person in Asia. Catholics must realize the need to examine their consciences on this subject. In the Philippines, the Catholic laymen who work be side the priests for the social and spiritual betterment of the farmer are deeply appreciated lay apostles.

The women of Asia and Africa offer countless opportunities for action to the women's lay apostolate: in all kinds of schools, in the fight against child marriage, forced marriage, divorce, and polygamy. This work includes the preparation of young women for marriage- a work being carried out successfully by nuns in Hong Kong, the Belgian Congo, and Uganda-and the formation of groups of Catholic women who can thus assist one another and give charitable help to the non-Catholic women of their area. This apostolate for women is undoubtedly difficult, but it is full of hope. In all the mission territories where Catholicism has developed, experience shows that woman's dignity is more respected.