Apostolicam Actuositatem

Catholic Action
The 4 characteristic notes
 Key to the reading of
these notes

•These have to be read in the light of

the Council
•Catholic Action can only be defined
within the Church.
•They are all related to one another
and they have to be taken all
together.
•They present a progressive
development .

Apostolicam Actuositaten: the 4 characteristic notes

 First note:
Catholic Action’s Ecclesial character

“The immediate aim of organizations

of this kind is the Church’s apostolic
aim, that is to make the gospel
known and men holy and to form in
them a Christian conscience, so that
they can infuse the spirit of the gospel
into the various communities and
spheres of life” (AA 20. a)

Apostolicam Actuositaten: the 4 characteristic notes

 First note:
Catholic Action’s Ecclesial character

»Catholic Action takes upon itself the same aim of

the Church
»It lives up to this aim and puts it into practice in
everyday life, in specific places and in the theology
of the particular Church.
»Catholic Action is called upon to “implant the
Church” in those places and in those human and
social situations where it is not as yet present.
»Catholic Action is born and lives for evangelization
in all its aspects

Apostolicam Actuositaten: the 4 characteristic notes

 Second note:
Lay people as protagonists
Catholic Action’s secular nature

“Lay people, collaborate with the

hierarchy in their own secular way, by
bringing forward their experiences
and by assuming responsibility for
the running of these organizations.
They study the circumstances in which
pastoral work has to be carried out and
draft and execute the plan of action.”
(AA 20.b)

Apostolicam Actuositaten: the 4 characteristic notes

 Second note:
Lay people as protagonists
Catholic Action’s secular nature

»The rights and duties of the laity stem from their Baptism
and Confirmation.
»Every different lay vocation contributes towards
communion within the Church and towards its mission.
That which is common contributes towards unity while the
differencies complement each other.
»The immediate and direct responsibility of lay people:
their lay ministry .
»Lay people can contribute through their experience,
through their ability to analyse situations and through the
methods they adopt.

Apostolicam Actuositaten: the 4 characteristic notes

 Third note:
United as
an organic body

“The laity act together in the same way

as an organic body so that the
Church is seen better as a community
and so that the apostolate is more
effective.” (AA 20.c)

Apostolicam Actuositaten: the 4 characteristic notes

 Third note:
United as
an organic body

»This shows the associative nature of our lay

apostolate.
»The specific contribution given by the
Association is a contribution of service in unity:
»in the Church as communion and for the entire
mission of the Church
»in full solidarity and with full corresponsibility
»through the associative structures.

Apostolicam Actuositaten: the 4 characteristic notes

 Fourth note:
Under the higher direction of the
Hierarchy

These lay people, whether they offer

themselves freely or are invited to
give their share, cooperate directly
with the hierarchy. They all function
under the higher direction of the
hierarchy itself, which can sanction
this cooperation by an explicit
«mandate».” (AA 20.d)

Apostolicam Actuositaten: the 4 characteristic notes

 Fourth note:
Under the higher direction of the
Hierarchy

»A special charateristic of its apostolate is that CA

inserts itself in the pastoral work of the local
Church
»With full reciprocal and vitale cooperation, which
implies diverse roles and ministries: the
hierarchical ministry and the lay ministry.

Apostolicam Actuositaten: the 4 characteristic notes

 Fourth note:
Under the higher direction of the
Hierarchy

»This entails constant and trustful dialogue

among the Bishop, priests and lay people.
»This does not diminish the importance of the
vocation of the laity but rather gives it more
importance. It puts a greater responsibility on
the Association to animate the different spheres
of life.

Apostolicam Actuositaten: the 4 characteristic notes