Abstract

As among the „being in the Church” and the „being in the world” there should not be any empty spaces, also between the hierarchical priesthood and the universal one should not be in the opposition. The pastoral work of the clergy and the apostolate of the laymen are both in order of the same work of salvation that God has completed in Christ. Obviously, both vocations are realized according to their own charismas. Nevertheless, it is necessary to underline that the apostolate of the laymen is inserted into the mission of the Church, that means, to serve the Kingdom of Christ in the world. This is concretized through a specific share of the laity to the triplex function of Christ: prophetic, priestly and regal. This doctrine is abundantly testified by the Council Vatican II and directly emerges from the teaching of the Bible. In practice, there are numerous fields (on a social and religious levels) in which the laymen can express their responsibility for the Church. Regarding to the situation of the Church in Poland we can notice an clear existing separation between the clergy that exercise their office and the laity that is a simply „consumer” of the clergy’s services. Instead it is necessary to support a Church that will encompass one creative community, prosperous of varied charismas.