EUROPE/SPAIN - Lay Apostolate Congress: more than 2.000 lay people intend to give new impulse to their presence in society, reflect on their Christian identity and foster a spirit of communion among groups and movements

Madrid (Fides Service) - ‘Witnesses of Hope’ is the theme of a National Lay Apostolate Congress in Madrid, from 12 to 14 November 2004. The congress intends to be a place of encounter for everyone, where the different local Churches, movements and associations with their proper charisma can present their experience of Christian witness in different social situations. The Congress, sponsored by the Spanish Bishops’ Conference through its Commission for Lay Apostolate, is for Catholic lay individual persons, not movements or associations. At least 2,000 people are expected to attend, including 500 members of associations and movements and 200 lay apostolate delegates.
The main objective is to give to new impulse to the presence, witness and public dimension of the faith of lay Christians in order to carry the Good News to every sector of society. A second objective is to reflect on the identity of a Christian, coherence between faith and life style and thirdly to foster a spirit of communion among all the different ecclesial groups. The Congress is articulated along three lines: the call to be Christians, to be holy and commitment in an association or not.
The Congress will open with a Message from Pope John Paul II read by Cardinal Antonio Mª Rouco Varela, Archbishop of Madrid and President of the Bishops’ Conference. Conference subjects include: "The Call to be Christians” by Archbishop Fernando Sebastian Aguilar of Pamplona and Tudela “The Call to Holiness” by Cristina López Schlichting a member of Communion and Liberation movement, “The Call to Mission” by Dr Ignacio Sánchez Cámara, professor at La Coruña University. The closing address will be given by the President of the Pontifical Council for the Laity Archbishop Stanislaw Rylko, who will speak on "European Laity situation and prospects". During the Congress there will be a series of workshops on youth, the family, society, the world of work, the formation of the laity and the means of social communications. (R.G.) (Agenzia Fides 11/11/2004 - Righe 24; Parole 330)