![[Opinion] Lay apostolate in the Roman Catholic Church in Ghana](https://catholic-trends.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/CNS-579558-laity-Communion-c.jpg)
In my candid view, one major challenge of the Modern Roman Catholic Church in Ghana is that, for over a decade, gifted and passionate youth (myself included) have struggled to be integrated into the mainstream of ministry in the church.
Whereas other pentecostal and charismatic churches are using the lay apostolate to establish many churches, win more souls, relieve pastors of some pastoral burdens, etc, through the lay Apostolate, we have failed to officially train and deploy young men and women who feel called to the pastoral ministry.
Many of these young people have had to either join other churches, start their own churches or remain Catholic while being underutilized. My life is a case study and this trend is quite worrying.
I get the opportunity to mentor a good number of young Catholics and unfortunately one of their fears is this phenomenon which I have personally been a victim of.
The Catholic Church is blessed with a great number of gifted and passionate youth whose gifts are either ignored, untapped or underutilized. We’re trying as a church but a lot must change in this regard.
It’s obvious many lay faithful are fulfilling their ministries in roles such as catechists, choir masters, Sunday School teachers, church administrators, CCR leaders, etc. But are these departments meeting these ministry needs and demands?
SO WHAT’S THE WAY FORWARD?…
What are the stumbling blocks?
1. Is it an issue of over-clericalizing ministry in the church?
2. Is it a matter of inadequate funds to employ and pay these youth?
3. Is it the fear of creating an avenue for the youth to be disinterested in the priestly or religious life?
Share your thoughts…To be continued…
Maranatha…. Shalom….
