Malankara bishops urge laity to strengthen Church mission

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, Kerala (Indian Catholic News) — The Syro Malankara Catholic Church has urged lay Catholics to take a more active role in evangelization, social transformation and public witness, describing their participation as essential to the Church’s mission in the modern world.

In a pastoral message Bishop Joseph Thomas Konnath of Battery, chairman of the Eastern rite Church’s Synodal Commission for the Laity, called on Catholics to renew their commitment to prayer, service and Gospel-centered living.

“The participation of the laity in the Church’s mission is indispensable,” the bishop wrote, emphasizing that laypeople are not merely recipients of the Church’s ministry but active collaborators in carrying forward its mission.

The message presents the vocation of the laity as a calling that extends both within and beyond Church structures.

According to the bishop, the mission of lay Catholics includes “Service within the Church (ad intra)” and “Service outside the Church (ad extra).” The first concerns participation in the life and ministries of the Church, while the second focuses on transforming society in the light of Christian values.

Citing the teachings of the Second Vatican Council, Bishop Konnath said responsibility for building the Church community and helping create “a renewed world” has been entrusted to the laity. Through baptism, he said, all Christians are called to become “witnesses to Christ and proclaimers of the Gospel.”

Spiritual renewal seen as foundation for witness

The bishop highlighted the importance of spiritual formation as the foundation for effective Christian witness. He encouraged Catholics to deepen their relationship with God through prayer, participation in the Holy Eucharist and regular sacramental life.

Referring to Pope Leo XIV’s teaching that prayer, learning and fraternal gatherings foster spiritual renewal, the bishop urged the faithful to strengthen their spiritual lives in response to contemporary challenges.

“In today’s world, we need greater spiritual strength to face emerging challenges,” Bishop Konnath wrote, quoting Christ’s exhortation: “Let your light shine before others.”

He also stressed the importance of evangelization. Pointing to Christ’s command to “Go into all the world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature,” Bishop Konnath said lay Catholics should share the love and mercy they have experienced in their own lives. He noted that the Malankara Syrian Catholic Church has sought to support this mission through initiatives such as the Evangelization Association, which he said has contributed significantly to missionary outreach.

Laity urged to transform society through Gospel values

A significant portion of the message addressed the growing influence of secularization. The bishop warned that attempts to separate life from faith have contributed to “the decline of family values and dignity,” “the weakening of faith” and “the erosion of moral values.”

In response, he called on laypeople to take a leading role in society. “The laity must be at the forefront of this mission,” he wrote, citing the Second Vatican Council’s call for greater engagement with the world.

Bishop Konnath said lay Catholics should bring Christian values into politics, culture, education, technology and other sectors of society. “The love and compassion of Christ must permeate politics, society, culture, education, technology, and every other sphere of life,” he said.

Their responsibilities, he added, include promoting human rights, democracy, “secular harmony,” social and economic development, protection of marginalized communities and efforts to combat alcoholism and drug abuse.

“All these activities must be undertaken with a view toward building the Kingdom of God,” the bishop wrote, noting that the mission of the Church and the mission of the laity ultimately serve the same purpose.

Bishop Konnath concluded by expressing gratitude for the contributions of lay faithful, particularly those serving in missionary dioceses and evangelization ministries in India and abroad. Invoking St. Joseph, whom he described as the heavenly patron of the laity, he prayed that the Risen Lord would continue to bless and strengthen the ministries of lay Catholics throughout the Church.

Full pastoral letter available: original Malayalam and AI‑generated English translation.