Apostolicam Actuositatem - Decree on the role of the laity in the Catholic Church

Apostolicam Actuositatem is a decree issued by Pope Paul VI in 1965 that outlines the role of the laity in the Catholic Church. The decree emphasizes the laity's vocation to the apostolate, which is a call to spread the message of Christ and to work for the renewal of the temporal order. It outlines the objectives of the lay apostolate, which include evangelization, sanctification, and the Christian renewal of the temporal order. The decree further explores various fields of the apostolate, such as church communities, the family, youth, the social milieu, and national and international levels. It then examines various forms of the apostolate, including the individual apostolate, group apostolate, and Catholic Action. Finally, the document details the importance of external relationships between the laity and the hierarchy, and it outlines the importance of formation for the apostolate, including doctrinal instruction, spiritual formation, and practical experience.