![[home]](/laity/images/usccb_logo.gif){kind=logo}
Marriage: Love and Life in the Divine Plan
A Pastoral Letter of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
View Document
Our Starting Point
"The forms and tasks of life are many but there is one holiness, which is cultivated by all who are led by God’s Spirit… All, however, according to their own gifts and duties must steadfastly advance along the way of a living faith, which arouses hope and works through love."
The Second Vatican Council (1964)
Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, #41
Our Mandate
The Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth assists the bishops, both collectively and individually, to respond to the faith needs of lay men and women, married couples and families, lay ecclesial ministers, and young people in our pluralistic and culturally diverse society. The Committee assists the bishops to promote the evangelization and faith formation of these persons, leading them toward a deeper commitment to Christ and his Church in the world.
Our mandate includes these areas of responsibility: laity in the world and in the Church, including the specific concerns of women and men; lay ecclesial ministry; youth and young adults; marriage and family life, including natural family planning.
The Secretariat of Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth is the office that provides staffing to the Committee.
Our Responsibilities
-
Communicate and apply Church teachings about the Christian roles and responsibilities of laity in marriage and family life, work, community and civic/political involvement
-
Provide national leadership, including consultation and resources for dioceses, on pastoral and public policy issues that concern marriage and family life
-
Assist dioceses through education, training and other resources to provide services and to maintain standards in the teaching of natural family planning
-
Study issues related to lay ecclesial ministry and provide leadership resources for bishops and dioceses. colleges and universities, and national associations responsible for the formation and utilization of lay ecclesial ministers
-
Foster the participation of young people in the life of the Church through leadership that sustains a comprehensive vision of youth ministry
-
Provide leadership and national direction, including consultation and resources, for dioceses and national leadership networks in ministry with young adults
-
Collaborate with those committees and offices of the Bishops’ Conference that bring the perspectives and concerns of other cultures and people with special pastoral needs
-
Communicate with and convene national groups, ecclesial movements, and diocesan leadership to form and empower Catholic laity, and to facilitate dialogue
-
Cooperate with universities, institutes and organizations that address questions of faith and culture, lay leadership and discipleship to evangelize society