Who are lay people in the Church?

Who are lay people in the Church?

• A. Those who have received Holy Orders
• B. Baptized members who share in the mission to bring the Good News of Christ to the world and are not ordained
• C. Priests and bishops
• D. People waiting for baptism

Answer: (B)

Lay people are baptized members who share in the mission of the Church to spread the Good News and to serve the world, and they are not ordained. This means they live out their faith in everyday life—as parents, teachers, workers, volunteers—participating in the Church’s mission alongside priests and religious. They carry out the baptismal calling in daily actions and relationships. The other descriptions refer to people who are ordained or not yet baptized. Those who have received Holy Orders are clergy (deacons, priests, bishops), not lay. Priests and bishops are specifically ordained, not lay. People waiting for baptism are not yet baptized and therefore are not part of the baptized faithful.

Lay people are baptized members who share in the mission of the Church to spread the Good News and to serve the world, and they are not ordained. This means they live out their faith in everyday life—as parents, teachers, workers, volunteers—participating in the Church’s mission alongside priests and religious. They carry out the baptismal calling in daily actions and relationships.

The other descriptions refer to people who are ordained or not yet baptized. Those who have received Holy Orders are clergy (deacons, priests, bishops), not lay. Priests and bishops are specifically ordained, not lay. People waiting for baptism are not yet baptized and therefore are not part of the baptized faithful.