Apostolic Exhortation Christifideles Laici

The text is an excerpt from the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Christifideles Laici written by Pope John Paul II. It addresses the vocation and mission of the lay faithful within the Church and the world. Pope John Paul II uses the parable of the workers in the vineyard to illustrate the diversity of roles that lay people play in contributing to the Church's mission. He argues that while the Church's hierarchy is rooted in the sacrament of orders, all baptized Christians share in the priestly, prophetic, and kingly mission of Christ. The text emphasizes the importance of lay participation in the Church's work, including evangelization, sanctification, the Christian animation of temporal affairs, and contributing to the human family. It also touches on the importance of fostering unity and cooperation between lay associations and the Church hierarchy.