Care, consult and be co-responsible

In this month’s video (October 2024) the Pope asks us to pray that the Church sustains a synodal lifestyle in every way. He says this will be a sign of “co-responsibility, promoting the participation, communion, and mission shared by priests, religious and laity.”

Pope Francis explains that as Christians we are all responsible for the Church’s mission. “Every priest. Everyone,” he says, adding, “We priests are not the bosses of the laity, but their pastors. Jesus called us, one and others – not one above others, or one on one side and others on another side, but complementing each other.”

The Pope continues, “Sure, you could ask me, What can I do as a bus driver? A farmer? A fisher? What all of us need to do is to witness with our lives. Be co-responsible for the Church’s mission … Everyone contributes what they know how to do best.”