Vicar General’s message

It was pope John Paul II who declared that the third millennium will belong to the Lay people.Historically the early Christian community was very conscious about its special status in the Church ” as a chosen race, a Royal priesthood, a Holy nation, God’s own people.” 1Peter 2:9.

For several centuries due to the lack of education the Laity in the Church did not fully participate in the working of the Church. It was basically a clergy dominated Church.The Laity was considered a dependent and educationally ignorant section of the Church.The second Vatican council revolutionised the identity and functioning of the lay persons who are now called the “the people of God”.
This brings out the equality and dignity of all baptized and the responsibility flowing from baptism. Thus every single Christian becomes an integral part of the Church with all its right and duties by the initiation of Baptism. Baptismal character is the ontological incorporation of a person into the mystical body of Christ.

It is from the Laity that we choose the members of the ministerial priesthood. The letters of Saint Paul and the Fathers of the Church rightly emphasize the duty of every single Christian without distinction to work for the good of the Church according to their individual charisms.
The recent process of Synodality that was envisaged by Pope Francis laid special emphasis on the vital importance of the Laity in the decision making process in ecclesiastical bodies.
Jaipur diocese was in the forefront in giving liberty to its members in the working of the Church organisations.The Jaipur catholic Association was one of the earliest lay movement in the Church rendering great services in the working of the Church. In this Jubilee year of 2025 I have no doubt that the Laity in Jaipur will truly become ‘pilgrims of Hope’ for the future of the Church.

Vicar General
Diocese of Jaipur