Wierni świeccy w ewangelizacji kultury. Zasady i pola działania

The word “culture” refers to everything, “whereby man develops and perfects his many bodily and spiritual qualities; he strives by his knowledge and his labour, to bring the world itself under his control. He renders social life more human both in the family and the civic community, through improvement of customs and institutions. Throughout the course of time he expresses, communicates and conserves in his works, great spiritual experiences and desires, that they might be of advantage to the progress of many, even of the whole human family” (Gaudium et spes No. 53). The Gospel, which assumes the shape of a culture from the beginning, wants to penetrate the culture of today as well. By its nature, it creates such a culture that helps people to reach their full personal development and thus enables them to live peacefully in the community. In the evangelization of cultures, the laity plays a special role. The Church calls upon Catholics “to be present, as signs of courage and intellectual creativity, in the privileged places of culture, that is, the world of education-school and university-in places of scientific and technological research, the areas of artistic creativity and work in the humanities” (Christifideles laici No. 44). It depends on their involvement in the proclamation of Christ and his message of salvation whether people are aware of their dignity and as free beings create spaces where any human person can find the true meaning of life. The Christian laity should be present on “the contemporary Aeropagus” in order to show the people the Divine truth, goodness and beauty which were revealed in the Savior Christ Jesus in full glory. The lay faithful have the task to put into practice their personal charisma and to work in union with the Pastors of the Church.