Trust indispensable laity to fulfil their vocations, says Francis

POPE FRANCIS has instructed Italian bishops to respect the strength of the laity and behave more like pastors rather than “pilots” ordering the faithful around, writes Hannah Roberts.

At the start of the Italian bishops’ conference plenary meeting this week, the Pope said: “Laypeople with an authentic Christian formation should not need a bishop-guide or a ‘monsignor-pilot’ or clerical input to assume their own responsibilities at all levels, political to social, economic to legislative. Instead they need a bishop-pastor.” He said that part of a bishop’s role is “reinforcing the indispensable role of the laity willing to take on the responsibilities that belong to them”.