The Layperson's Distinctive Role

This important book by the highly regarded African prelate, Cardinal Arinze, describes in positive and simple terms who the lay person is, his distinctive role in the Church, and how the lay apostolate distinguishes the lay faithful from the clergy and the religious.

The call of lay people to be witnesses of Christ in the ordinary areas of secular life, such as family, work, recreation, politics and government, shows how demanding the apostolate of the lay people is. The book draws from the dynamic teachings of the Second Vatican Council, the riches of the 1987 Synod of Bishops on the Lay Faithful, and the emphasis on the lay apostolate by recent Popes, to present to lay people an attractive and demanding call to witness to Christ in society.

Leaders and participants of various lay groups and movements will find this book liberating and encouraging. Clerics and religious will find these considerations by Cardinal Arinze of great help, both in appreciating the limits of their own apostolates and of seeing how to put before the lay faithful the demands of their calling.

Cardinal Francis Arinze grew up in Nigeria, became the youngest Bishop in the world, and the first African Cardinal to head a Vatican office. He was the head of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. His biography, God's Invisible Hand, was published by Ignatius Press as well as Celebrating the Holy Eucharist.