Canon law.-THE OBLIGATIONS AND RIGHTS OF THE LAY MEMBERS

Elena: It is very interesting to note in this canons the same structures used in cults, especially in cults that were supposed to belong to completely different traditions such as the fofcult initially presented itself as. This material was taken from: http://www.intratext.com/X/ENG0017.htm

TITLE II: THE OBLIGATIONS AND RIGHTS OF THE LAY MEMBERS OF CHRIST'S FAITHFUL (Cann.224 - 231) Can. 224 Lay members of Christ's faithful have the duties and rights enumerated in the canons of this title, in additionto those duties and rights which are common to all Christ's faithful and those stated in other canons. Can. 225 §1 Since lay people, like all Christ's faithful, are deputed to the apostolate by baptism and confirmation, they are bound by the general obligation and they have the right, whether as individuals or in associations, to strive so that the divine message of salvation may be known and accepted by all people throughout the world. This obligationis all the more insistent in circumstances in which only through them are people able to hear the Gospel and to knowChrist. §2 They have also, according to the condition of each, the special obligation to permeate and perfect the temporalorder of things with the spirit of the Gospel. In this way, particularly in conducting secular business and exercisingsecular functions, they are to give witness to Christ. Can. 226 §1 Those who are married are bound by the special obligation, in accordance with their own vocation, tostrive for the building up of the people of God through their marriage and family. §2 Because they gave life to their children, parents have the most serious obligation and the right to educate them. It is therefore primarily the responsibility of christian parents to ensure the christian education of their children inaccordance with the teaching of the Church. Can. 227 To lay members of Christ's faithful belongs the right to have acknowledged as theirs that freedom in secularaffairs which is common to all citizens. In using this freedom, however, they are to ensure that their actions arepermeated with the spirit of the Gospel, and they are to heed the teaching of the Church proposed by the magisterium, but they must be on guard, in questions of opinion, against proposing their own view as the teaching of the Church. Can. 228 §1 Lay people who are found to be suitable are capable of being admitted by the sacred Pastors to thoseecclesiastical offices and functions which, in accordance with the provisions of law, they can discharge. §2 Lay people who are outstanding in the requisite knowledge, prudence and integrity, are capable of being expertsor advisors, even in councils in accordance with the law, in order to provide assistance to the Pastors of the Church. Can. 229 §1 Lay people have the duty and the right to acquire the knowledge of christian teaching which isappropriate to each one's capacity and condition, so that they may be able to live according to this teaching, toproclaim it and if necessary to defend it, and may be capable of playing their part in the exercise of the apostolate. §2 They also have the right to acquire that fuller knowledge of the sacred sciences which is taught in ecclesiasticaluniversities or faculties or in institutes of religious sciences, attending lectures there and acquiring academic degrees. §3 Likewise, assuming that the provisions concerning the requisite suitability have been observed, they are capable ofreceiving from the lawful ecclesiastical authority a mandate to teach the sacred sciences. Can. 230 §1 Lay men whose age and talents meet the requirements prescribed by decree of the EpiscopalConference, can be given the stable ministry of lector and of acolyte, through the prescribed liturgical rite. Thisconferral of ministry does not, however, give them a right to sustenance or remuneration from the Church. §2 Lay people can receive a temporary assignment to the role of lector in liturgical actions. Likewise, all lay peoplecan exercise the roles of commentator, cantor or other such, in accordance with the law. §3 Where the needs of the Church require and ministers are not available, lay people, even though they are not lectorsor acolytes, can supply certain of their functions, that is, exercise the ministry of the word, preside over liturgicalprayers, confer baptism and distribute Holy Communion, in accordance with the provisions of the law. Can. 231 §1 Lay people who are pledged to the special service of the Church, whether permanently or for a time, have a duty to acquire the appropriate formation which their role demands, so that they may conscientiously,earnestly and diligently fulfil this role. §2 Without prejudice to the provisions of can. 230 §1, they have the right to a worthy remuneration befitting theircondition, whereby, with due regard also to the provisions of the civil law, they can becomingly provide for their own needs and the needs of their families. Likewise, they have the right to have their insurance, social security andmedical benefits duly safeguarded.