Apostolicam actuositatem

Apostolicam actuositatem (AA) means, after its opening words , the decree on the lay apostolate . The decree was formulated by the Second Vatican Council and after a solemn final vote with 2305 yes votes and 2 no votes on November 18, 1965 by Pope Paul VI. promulgates .

The lay apostolate in the council

The lay people are mentioned several times in the Council documents . In particular, the decree on the lay apostolate states that lay people “in the Church and in the world realize their own share in the mission of the whole people of God” (AA 2; cf. LG 31). It is noteworthy that the council no longer derived the lay apostolate from the apostolate of the clergy, but from the union of the individual Christian with Christ. The laity “also participate in the priestly, prophetic and royal office of Christ ” and “realize their own part in the mission of the whole people of God in the Church and in the world . In their efforts to evangelize and sanctify the whole person and to penetrate and perfect the temporal order with the Spirit of the Gospel , they actually exercise an apostolate ”(AA 2).

Content of the decree

introduction

Already in the introduction, the decree makes it clear that the apostolate belongs to the calling of Christians themselves and therefore “can never be absent from the Church” (AA 1). The aim of the decree is the presentation and elaboration of the “nature, individual character and diversity of the lay apostolate” (AA 1). A revision of canon law in matters of lay apostolate is also announced.

Chapter I. The vocation of the laity to the apostolate

Participation in the threefold office of Christ , who is priest, prophet and king, gives the laity a part in the mission of the Church. Through their position "in the midst of the world" they bear witness to Christ through their actions and thus serve the salvation of all people (AA 2). It is an “honorable burden” of the laity, too, to help ensure that the message of Jesus reaches the whole world (AA 3). To cope with this burden, believers are strengthened with the gifts of the Holy Ghost . By receiving the so-called charisms “every believer has the right and duty to use them in church and in the world for the good of people and for building up the church.” (AA 3) The spiritual life does not count from the duties of work separate, but work and domestic duties are to be fulfilled in union with Christ, so that "in the light of faith" "always and everywhere to know God" (AA 4). Then the fourth paragraph gives some concrete advice, both on gossip, the right relationship to money, as well as friendly contact. The vocation of the layperson should take on a “special character” through his or her status, whether in marriage, family, widowhood or celibacy. Accordingly, laypeople should be careful to develop their gifts further and, for example, to bring them into harmony with the family (AA 4). The Christians are portrayed as a model of the Virgin Mary , who “spent a life on earth like everyone else, full of concern for the family and work, because she was always deeply connected to her Son and worked in a very unique way on the work of the Savior with ... "(AA 4). She thus sets an example of successful spiritual and apostolic work.

Chapter II: The aims of the lay apostolate

The apostolate is to be exercised “in the Church as in the world”. Even if the spiritual and secular order are to be distinguished, the layman as Christian and citizen is part of both orders in a special way (AA 5). The orders “must by no means be viewed as the realms of grace and nature, and certainly not as an antagonistic duality of heavenly and earthly or of church and world.” The apostolate is carried out primarily through the witness of life, but the gospel should if necessary can also be proclaimed by word (cf. AA 6). The “task of the whole church” lies in the ability of people to correctly build up the entire temporal order and to assign it to God through Christ, even though the “intrinsic value” of economy, culture, work and art is recognized. In doing so, the bishops and priests have to “clearly proclaim the principles about the goal of creation and about the use of the world”, while the laypeople have to establish the temporal order “and act immediately and decisively, urged by Christian love. Based on their specific expertise and on their own responsibility, they should work together with their fellow citizens as citizens and seek the righteousness of the kingdom of God everywhere and in everything ”(AA 7). In addition to that social activity, the cultural area should also be the goal of the apostolate (cf. AA 7). The origin of all apostolic work is love, which becomes particularly clear through charitable work. The means of social communication have brought humanity closer together, which is why the works of charity have become “more urgent and comprehensive”. In all charitable activities, it must be noted that the image of God is seen in one's neighbor and that his “personal freedom and dignity” is respected. Help for self-help and independence should also be given (AA 8). In the relief organizations, all people of good will should work together (see AA 8)

III. Chapter: Different Areas of the Lay Apostolate

The title of the third chapter was repeatedly changed during the deliberations. A distinction in the title between subject and object of the apostolate has been abandoned. The term areas draws attention to both. The apostolate of youth is therefore both the apostolate exercised by young people and the mission to young people. In the first sentence it is emphasized that the laity carry out their “varied apostolate both in the Church and in the world” (AA 9). The decree “the family, the youth, the social milieu” and social life (AA 9) are among the more important areas. No separate farewell is dedicated to the woman. This was initially planned, but then abolished by cuts. The express emphasis on the apostolate of women can already be found in AA 9. In the area of the church, the laity support the pastors who otherwise could not fully develop their own apostolate. The apostolate of the laity consists in “participating in liturgical life” and “passing on the word of God [...] above all through catechetical instruction” (AA 10). They also contribute their expertise to the administration of church property. A commitment in the parish should always be done with a view to the diocese . A supra-parish task that is assigned by the bishop should be open to the laity. In AA 11 the decree outlines an apostolate of marriage and the family , which is also found similarly in Gaudium et spes . “The indissolubility and sacredness of the marital bond” should be made “visible” through the life of the partner. “The spouses are the first and most important pastors to each other.” The family is “the basic and vital cell of society”, so it should prove to be the domestic church “in mutual love” and in prayer. In this sense, the family apostolate is not a private matter, but “extends far beyond the family, because the Lord God has already had a decisive function for society as a whole.” Section 12 is devoted to youth. Their drive and enthusiasm are praised. Young people should be apostol of youth themselves, on their own responsibility and in their respective milieus. In doing so, the authors use speeches by Pope Pius XII. before the Christian working-class youth. However, the young people should be supported and encouraged by adults. The last sentence of AA 12 emphasizes the apostolate of children. The area of “social milieus” is dealt with in AA 13. The job is an important milieu. Here the laity succeeds in making the church present. This cannot be achieved by “strangers to the milieu” such as priests and other lay people. Your apostolate is shown in the unity of life and faith (AA 13). Through the helpful help, but also through the word, Christ is proclaimed to one's neighbor. The same applies to domestic and social areas. The three steps of the Christian working-class youth “See, judge, act” has been shortened here. The commission of the decree sees it as a general method of the apostolate, which is why it cannot be applied specifically to this area. The apostolate in the “national and international area” (AA 14) is characterized above all by the commitment of any apostolate to the common good. Christians are encouraged to participate in the state and society. Cooperation “with all people of good will” is also recommended. This is particularly true of relations between peoples.

Chapter IV: Various Forms of the Apostolate

The chapter is introduced with the statement that apostolic activities can be carried out by individuals and by associations (cf. AA 15). First of all, the chapter should deal with the communal forms of the apostolate (title “on communal forms”). In the discussions, however, it was finally decided to also honor the apostolate of the individual, which is why there were major changes to the text. An apostolate is exercised when “Christ who lives in his believers is made visible” (AA 16). The maxim of the Gospel applies to Christians “after all, they are citizens of this world” also “when building” society (AA 16). The earlier formulation of the “individual apostolate” is no longer used, since an apostolate in the true sense cannot be “individual” but is and must always be related to the community. In AA 17 the decree refers to the regions in which the freedom of the church is restricted, where the laity have an even greater responsibility. The risk to use one's own life in these difficult situations is expressly appreciated. The personal apostolate is particularly in demand in countries in which the Church occupies a minority position. Here the apostolate can be lived in informal and small discussion groups and protect it from isolation. The following article deals with the union of the laity in the apostolate. Christians “be apostles in their family community as in the parish and diocese ” (AA 18). The decree advocates strengthening the “communal and organized form of the apostolate” (AA 18). This increases the effectiveness, but also gives the individual support through exchange and encouragement. At the same time, this also improves "responding to the mentality and social situation of those to whom the apostolate is addressed"

The associations of lay people are characterized by great diversity. However, none of them serve the end in themselves, but should serve for evangelization and mercy . Those associations which promote a unity between the life and faith of their members are emphasized (cf. AA 19). Therefore, Christians are granted the right (“ius”) to “found associations, to lead, and to join those that have been founded.” (AA 19) At the same time, care must be taken that new foundations do not result in fragmentation. The formulation of the sentence using the word (“facultas” - possibility) was rejected.

Catholic action

Article 20 is devoted to Catholic Action , the founding of which existed a few decades before the Council as a possibility of apostolate. The conversation about the Catholic Action was introduced by several Council Fathers. The debate about this was lively, especially since the word ' action ' alone has a different connotation in the Anglo-Saxon languages than in the Romance languages, namely a more political one . AA 20 therefore revolves around the way in which the hierarchy and the apostolic associations work together, whether they are called Catholic Action or not.

The short article 21 refers to the international associations. The last article 22 describes the laity who do their "peculiar ministry" ("proprium ministerium") within the Church. A large number of ecclesiastical professions, such as that of pastoral consultant , emerged in the aftermath of the council. a. refer to AA 22. The celibate and married lay people should bring their specialist knowledge “forever or temporarily ” to the institutions of the church. The decree also emphasizes that there must be adequate support for lay Christians and their families. Pius XII already had this . clearly pointed out.

Chapter V: The Order

The fifth chapter “De ordine servando” begins with an article that emphasizes the “organic implantation [...] of the lay apostolate in the apostolate of the whole Church” but at the same time “the lay apostolate is not thought of as separate from it, but on the contrary precisely as its organic part ”. Furthermore, AA 23 called for "appropriate coordination" of the lay apostolate by the hierarchy, that is, by the bishops. The demand for coordination is embedded in the call for mutual respect and appreciation of any form of apostolate that is necessary for the “unity of the Church” and for fraternal love (cf. GS 23) Authority of the universal Church preserved. Requests for changes that wanted to strengthen the authority aspect in the ecclesiastical apostolate were rejected, as were the modes that "wanted to have unilaterally emphasized freedom and autonomy". AA 24 requires pastors to promote the lay apostolate. The laypeople are also assigned "tasks that are more closely connected with the offices of shepherds, for example in instruction in instruction in Christian doctrine , in certain liturgical acts and in pastoral care ". The construction of the church is also understood to be a task for the laity (cf. AA 25).

VI. Chapter: Formation for the Apostolate

Call of the Council

The concluding appeal of the council is addressed to all lay people, especially “the younger generation”, and invites them to heed the mission on which Jesus sent his disciples anew (cf. AA 33).

Advisory bodies

Based on the considerations on the apostolate of the laity, it was suggested that advisory bodies (“consilia”) be set up in dioceses and parishes, but also at other levels, “to carry out the apostolic activity of the Church in the area of evangelization and sanctification, in the charitable and social area and support in other areas with appropriate cooperation between clergy and religious with the laity ”(AA 26). The wording suggests that the members of these bodies are primarily lay people who work “as necessary and as appropriate” with the clergy and religious. On this basis, for example, the parish councils and other internal church councils were founded.

The consecrated life

Some lay people have a special calling to the consecrated life . Apostolicam actuositatem explains that lay people who have acceded to an association or institute approved by the Church on the basis of their vocation should endeavor to faithfully embrace the particular, peculiar characteristics of the spiritual life. (AA 4).

literature

LThK ², The Second Vatican Council II, Freiburg 1967, 585–701. Latin-German parallel text, introduced in detail and commented on by Ferdinand Klostermann .

Web links

Individual evidence

↑ cf. Ferdinand Klostermann: On the history of the text, decree on the apostolate of the laity . In: Josef Höfer , Karl Rahner (Ed.): Lexicon for Theology and Church . 2nd Edition. tape 13 . Herder, Freiburg im Breisgau 1967, Sp. 587-601 . , 601.
↑ cf. Markus Lehner: lay apostolate . In: Walter Kasper (Ed.): Lexicon for Theology and Church . 3. Edition. tape 6 . Herder, Freiburg im Breisgau 1997, Sp. 597-598 . , 598.
^ Karl Rahner, Herbert Vorgrimler: Introduction to the decree on the lay apostolate Apostolicam actuositatem . In: Karl Rahner, Herbert Vorgrimler: Small Council Compendium, Complete Texts of the Second Vatican Council , Freiburg i. B., 35th edition, 2008, 383-388, 385.
^ Ferdinand Klostermann : Commentary on the decree on the apostolate of the laity , in: LThK , 2nd edition, supplementary volume 2, introduction and commentary on Apostolicam actuositatem, 587-701, 634.
^ Karl Rahner, Herbert Vorgrimler: Introduction to the decree on the lay apostolate Apostolicam acuositatem . In: Karl Rahner, Herbert Vorgrimler: Small Council Compendium, Complete Texts of the Second Vatican Council , Freiburg i. B., 35th edition, 2008, 383-388, 386.
↑ Ferdinand Klostermann: Commentary on the decree on the apostolate of the laity , in: LThK, 2nd edition, supplementary volume 2, introduction and commentary on Apostolicam actuositatem, 587-701, 641.
↑ Ferdinand Klostermann: Commentary on the decree on the apostolate of the laity , in: LThK, 2nd edition, supplementary volume 2, introduction and commentary on Apostolicam actuositatem, 587-701, 645f.
↑ Ferdinand Klostermann: Commentary on the decree on the apostolate of the laity , in: LThK, 2nd edition, supplementary volume 2, introduction and commentary on Apostolicam actuositatem, 587-701, 648.
↑ cf. Ferdinand Klostermann: Commentary on the decree on the apostolate of the laity , in: LThK, 2nd edition, supplementary volume 2, introduction and commentary on Apostolicam actuositatem, 587-701, 648.
↑ cf. Ferdinand Klostermann: Commentary on the decree on the apostolate of the laity , in: LThK, 2nd edition, supplementary volume 2, introduction and commentary on Apostolicam actuositatem, 587-701, 651.
↑ cf. Ferdinand Klostermann: Commentary on the decree on the apostolate of the laity , in: LThK, 2nd edition, supplementary volume 2, introduction and commentary on Apostolicam actuositatem, 587-701, 653.
↑ cf. Ferdinand Klostermann: Commentary on the decree on the apostolate of the laity , in: LThK, 2nd edition, supplementary volume 2, introduction and commentary on Apostolicam actuositatem, 587-701, 657.
↑ cf. Ferdinand Klostermann: Commentary on the decree on the apostolate of the laity , in: LThK, 2nd edition, supplementary volume 2, introduction and commentary on Apostolicam actuositatem, 587-701, 658.
↑ cf. Ferdinand Klostermann: Commentary on the decree on the apostolate of the laity , in: LThK, 2nd edition, supplementary volume 2, introduction and commentary on Apostolicam actuositatem, 587-701, 667f. With recourse to: Pius XII. Address to the Second World Congress on the Lay Apostolate, October 5, 1957, in: AAS 49 (1957) 927.
↑ Ferdinand Klostermann: Commentary on the decree on the apostolate of the laity , in: LThK, 2nd edition, supplementary volume 2, introduction and commentary on Apostolicam actuositatem, 587-701, 669.
↑ cf. Ferdinand Klostermann: Commentary on the decree on the apostolate of the laity , in: LThK, 2nd edition, supplementary volume 2, introduction and commentary on Apostolicam actuositatem, 587-701, 669.
↑ Ferdinand Klostermann: Commentary on the decree on the apostolate of the laity , in: LThK, 2nd edition, supplementary volume 2, introduction and commentary on Apostolicam actuositatem, 587-701, 670.
↑ Ferdinand Klostermann: Commentary on the decree on the apostolate of the laity , in: LThK, 2nd edition, supplementary volume 2, introduction and commentary on Apostolicam actuositatem, 587-701, 683. With reference to AAS 59 (1967), 25-28.
↑ Ferdinand Klostermann: Commentary on the decree on the apostolate of the laity , in: LThK, 2nd edition, supplementary volume 2, introduction and commentary on Apostolicam actuositatem, 587-701, 683-684.
↑ Ferdinand Klostermann: Commentary on the decree on the apostolate of the laity , in: LThK, 2nd edition, supplementary volume 2, introduction and commentary on Apostolicam actuositatem, 587-701, 682.

[1] . Ferdinand Klostermann: On the history of the text, decree on the apostolate of the laity . In: Josef Höfer , Karl Rahner (Ed.): Lexicon for Theology and Church . 2nd Edition. tape 13 . Herder, Freiburg im Breisgau 1967, Sp. 587-601 . , 601.

[2] . Markus Lehner: lay apostolate . In: Walter Kasper (Ed.): Lexicon for Theology and Church . 3. Edition. tape 6 . Herder, Freiburg im Breisgau 1997, Sp. 597-598 . , 598.

[3] Karl Rahner, Herbert Vorgrimler: Introduction to the decree on the lay apostolate Apostolicam actuositatem . In: Karl Rahner, Herbert Vorgrimler: Small Council Compendium, Complete Texts of the Second Vatican Council , Freiburg i. B., 35th edition, 2008, 383-388, 385.

[4] Ferdinand Klostermann : Commentary on the decree on the apostolate of the laity , in: LThK , 2nd edition, supplementary volume 2, introduction and commentary on Apostolicam actuositatem, 587-701, 634.

[5] Karl Rahner, Herbert Vorgrimler: Introduction to the decree on the lay apostolate Apostolicam acuositatem . In: Karl Rahner, Herbert Vorgrimler: Small Council Compendium, Complete Texts of the Second Vatican Council , Freiburg i. B., 35th edition, 2008, 383-388, 386.

[6] Ferdinand Klostermann: Commentary on the decree on the apostolate of the laity , in: LThK, 2nd edition, supplementary volume 2, introduction and commentary on Apostolicam actuositatem, 587-701, 641.

[7] Ferdinand Klostermann: Commentary on the decree on the apostolate of the laity , in: LThK, 2nd edition, supplementary volume 2, introduction and commentary on Apostolicam actuositatem, 587-701, 645f.

[8] Ferdinand Klostermann: Commentary on the decree on the apostolate of the laity , in: LThK, 2nd edition, supplementary volume 2, introduction and commentary on Apostolicam actuositatem, 587-701, 648.

[9] . Ferdinand Klostermann: Commentary on the decree on the apostolate of the laity , in: LThK, 2nd edition, supplementary volume 2, introduction and commentary on Apostolicam actuositatem, 587-701, 648.

[10] . Ferdinand Klostermann: Commentary on the decree on the apostolate of the laity , in: LThK, 2nd edition, supplementary volume 2, introduction and commentary on Apostolicam actuositatem, 587-701, 651.

[11] . Ferdinand Klostermann: Commentary on the decree on the apostolate of the laity , in: LThK, 2nd edition, supplementary volume 2, introduction and commentary on Apostolicam actuositatem, 587-701, 653.

[12] . Ferdinand Klostermann: Commentary on the decree on the apostolate of the laity , in: LThK, 2nd edition, supplementary volume 2, introduction and commentary on Apostolicam actuositatem, 587-701, 657.

[13] . Ferdinand Klostermann: Commentary on the decree on the apostolate of the laity , in: LThK, 2nd edition, supplementary volume 2, introduction and commentary on Apostolicam actuositatem, 587-701, 658.

[14] . Ferdinand Klostermann: Commentary on the decree on the apostolate of the laity , in: LThK, 2nd edition, supplementary volume 2, introduction and commentary on Apostolicam actuositatem, 587-701, 667f. With recourse to: Pius XII. Address to the Second World Congress on the Lay Apostolate, October 5, 1957, in: AAS 49 (1957) 927.

[15] Ferdinand Klostermann: Commentary on the decree on the apostolate of the laity , in: LThK, 2nd edition, supplementary volume 2, introduction and commentary on Apostolicam actuositatem, 587-701, 669.

[16] . Ferdinand Klostermann: Commentary on the decree on the apostolate of the laity , in: LThK, 2nd edition, supplementary volume 2, introduction and commentary on Apostolicam actuositatem, 587-701, 669.

[17] Ferdinand Klostermann: Commentary on the decree on the apostolate of the laity , in: LThK, 2nd edition, supplementary volume 2, introduction and commentary on Apostolicam actuositatem, 587-701, 670.

[18] Ferdinand Klostermann: Commentary on the decree on the apostolate of the laity , in: LThK, 2nd edition, supplementary volume 2, introduction and commentary on Apostolicam actuositatem, 587-701, 683. With reference to AAS 59 (1967), 25-28.

[19] Ferdinand Klostermann: Commentary on the decree on the apostolate of the laity , in: LThK, 2nd edition, supplementary volume 2, introduction and commentary on Apostolicam actuositatem, 587-701, 683-684.

[20] Ferdinand Klostermann: Commentary on the decree on the apostolate of the laity , in: LThK, 2nd edition, supplementary volume 2, introduction and commentary on Apostolicam actuositatem, 587-701, 682.