Vijayawada (AsiaNews) - In the Year of Faith, lay people must be "apostles of the new evangelization" and promote the "study of the Catechism of the Catholic Church in their families." This according to Msgr. Maipan Paul, Bishop of Khammam and head of the commission for the laity in Andhra Pradesh, during the Synod of the Laity organized by the All India Catholic Union (AICU). More than 200 Catholics from around the state attended the event, held in early December.
Lancy D'Cunha, AICU vice president, told AsiaNews: "Our goal is to help lay people to enhance their active participation in the mission of the Church."
In his homily, Msgr. Gali Bali, President of Andhra Pradesh Bishop's Council (APBC), drew the attention of participants to the role of the Word of God in the life and mission of the Church. "The Year of Faith - he explained - must make you aware of the importance of the study and use of the Word of God in the personal and family life of every Catholic."
The Church in Andhra Pradesh has 13 dioceses and more than 2 million members. The All India Catholic Union was founded in 1919, with 120 centers spread across India represents the Catholic laity of the country.
* Mission of the Immaculate, female congregation linked to the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions (PIME).
