"The hour of the laity has struck".

Rome--Another noteworthy event during the Jubilee year 2000 was the Jubilee of the Lay Apostolate, November 25-30. In his homily Pope John Paul urged the 40,000 people present to "rediscover the great wealth of doctrinal and pastoral stimulants" contained in the documents of the Second Vatican Council. The pilgrims represented millions of lay people active in the Church, including associations, movements of apostolic action and diocesan service.

The laity must be missionaries and witnesses, the Pope said, outlining the basic tenets of their "enormous mission." He challenged them to build the kingdom of God in a world of great contrasts: economic progress exists side by side with underdevelopment, hunger and threats to peace; and state of the art communication networks with "the drama of loneliness and violence.

In a message read by Cardinal Angelo Sodano to the 600-strong Congress of Catholic Laity, which met at the same time in Rome, John Paul recommended a "serious examination of conscience" by all Catholics. While heartened by a recent "spiritual spring" often initiated by the laity, the Pope noted that in the "widespread atmosphereof secularization, many believers are tempted to distance themselves from the Churchand make compromises with the dominant culture," even to the point of criticism of the Magisterium.

The Congress was attended by 30 cardinals and bishops as well as lay people who are delegates of bishops' conferences, leaders of ecclesial groups such as Focolare, and leading intellectuals. There was also an ecumenical component of laity from other Christian churches and, for the first time, delegates from former Communist countries such as Lithuania, Estonia, Russia and Ukraine.