Know Your Rights
On the 8th of September, 57 Catholics consisting of parishioners of NBVM and other parishioners from the churches in Penang attended the talk held at Sts. Chastan and Imbert Hall, on the Rights of the Laity in the Catholic Church according to the 1983 Code of Canon law by Rev. Fr. Julius Paul C. Factora, a Dominican Priest and a Doctor in Canon Law. Present amidst the laity were three ordained ministers: Rev. Fr. Dominic Santhiyagu, the parish priest, his former classmate from the Faculty of Canon Law, Rev. Fr. Nicholas Sarawut and former parish administrator Rev. Fr. Francis Andrew.
Incorporated in Church through Baptism and Communion
Rev. Fr. Julius Paul, explained that the church is made of persons. A person is incorporated in church through Baptism and Communion. Thus we enjoy rights and have obligations through this communion. Baptism is a passive incorporation under the canon law of 849 and here someone else is applied for membership since most of us were baptized as infants. The indelible mark of baptism remains even if a baptized catholic leaves the church and converts to another religion. In contrast, Communion is active incorporation. Under the canon law 205, baptized are in full communion through faith (Nicene Creed), 7 sacraments and ecclesiastical governance (the Pope as the head of the church).
We share in Christ’s Prophetic and Priestly Ministry and Kingly Governance
Under this principle of communion, the church establishes rights so that there is a smooth flowing governance. Under canon law 96, the faithful are subject to rights and obligations. The theological aspect of Baptism says we become like Christ and share in His prophetic ministry and in the priestly ministry of Christ-when we baptize or pray and a kingly governance of the church when we become part of the parish council or be involved in the church.
Priests and People are Equal in the Mission
The priests and people are equal in the mission in the spirit of communion. Bishops and priests have different functions. Lay persons too have a function according to our state (have different duties and roles to play). So the hierarchy of the church consists of ordained (priests) and lay persons. The religious are not part of the hierarchy.
The Rights of the Laity
- All are equal
- Can 211- Christian faithful have the right to evangelise the nation( this was the last instruction of Christ) and we are to spread the divine message which includes the sacred tradition
- Can 212 – Christian faithful have the right to make their needs and desires especially the spiritual ones to the pastor – the pastor has to preach doctrinal and spiritual preaching but not necessarily good preaching (not all are gifted in preaching)
- Christian faithful have the right an Opinion regarding the good of the church e.g. condition of the room (opinion for the common good) – have to communicate it respectfully to the pastor
- Can213- Christian faithful have the right to receive the word of God and the sacraments- regular schedule of confession (make opinion known to pastor in a respectful manner)
- Can 215 – Christian faithful right to assemble or form association but pastors are not obliged to provide finance or place
- Can 216 – Christian faithful have the right to initiate, promote and sustain apostolic activities but do not have the right to include “Catholic” in the activities – need consent from the church
- Christian faithful have the right to Christian education
- Can 218 – Christian faithful have the right to be engaged in theological discipline, enjoy freedom of inquiry and expression
- Can 219 -Christian faithful enjoy freedom from all pressures in choosing their state of life- no one can coerce you to be ordained
- Can 220 – Christian faithful may not damage the reputation of others nor invade their privacy
- Christian faithful have the right to vindicate / defend their rights in a church court in the spirit of Catholic tradition ( always mercy over justice)
- Christian faithful if summoned to judgement in the church is to be judged according to canon law applied with equity
- Christian faithful have the right not to be punished except in accordance to canon law
Can 223: Christian faithful are to be mindful of common good, the rights of others and duties towards others. Christian faithful are to ensure that your right does not transgress others. Thus, the Church regulates the exercise of the rights for the common good.
Obligations of the Laity
- Can 209 – Christian faithful are obliged to maintain communion with the church
- Christian faithful are to fulfil canonical duties toward universal church
- Christian faithful are to strive to lead holy lives and promote growth and holiness of the church
- Christian faithful have the duty to see that message of salvation reaches all humankind (go out of comfort zone to preach)
- Christian faithful are to follow what the pastor declares (as long as the pastor teaches in faith with no errors). Respect the privacy of the pastor.
- Christian faithful are obliged to express their opinion about the good of the church.
- Christian faithful are obliged to contribute to the needs for worship, apostolic and charitable work and support its ministers (contribute in terms of money and holiness)- many churches have turned into museums because people did not respond in holiness.
- Christian faithful are to promote social justice amidst the poor from their own resources.
Additional points shared during Q&A:
- Homily can also be an avenue for catechism- if people do not have sufficient knowledge then the pastor can use the time for homily to catechize the people.
- We are not to judge a person but instead respect the privacy of the person. Even if you know the person is not practicing the faith, one cannot withhold communion because it can be a cause for scandal. The onus is on the person receiving the communion. Priests are dispensers of sacrament and cannot withhold God’s mercy. God’s grace is for everybody.
Token of Appreciation
