ASIA : HONG KONG : LAY MINISTRY PLENARY ASSEMBLY CLOSES

UCAN REPORT
Participants encouraged to take up the three roles of Jesus   
Catholic Church News Image of Laity plenary assembly ends
Assembly participants sing together (UCAN photo)
A six-day Lay Ministries Plenary Assembly involving more than 170 representatives from across the world concluded in Hong Kong yesterday.
Hong Kong diocese organized the assembly to conclude its Years of the Laity (2011 and 2012) celebrations.
During the almost week-long event, participants learnt the biblical aspect of lay ministries and shared their practical experiences by taking on board the idea of Priest, Prophet and King.
According to Lumen Gentium (a principal document of the Second Vatican Council), all Catholic lay men and women share Jesus’ threefold office of Priest, Prophet and King, that is, the ministry to sanctify, to teach and to govern.
“Many Catholics do not have a clear concept about these ministries. Some think the three are independent from each other,” Eric Li, a participant from the United States, said after the gathering.
“In fact when a layperson works on one ministry, the three ministerial roles can come into effect at the same time,” he said.
Evaluating the meeting, Father Dominic Chan Chi-ming, vicar-general of Hong Kong, said participants were very frank when sharing.
He said the Vietnamese representatives gave moving accounts of the persecution they faced during the war in Vietnam and since then.
“Even in developed countries like the US and Canada, Chinese Catholic communities sometimes feel inferior. But they feel blessed that their members maintain solidarity and get rid of such feelings,” he said.
“The participants know that each country has its own difficulties but they agreed that they have to first build up a personal relationship with God and then introduce Him to their neighborhoods and workplace,” said Fr Chan.
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