What is the laity's role according to Vatican II?

• A. They should participate actively in the Church’s mission by living the Gospel in family, work, and public life.
• B. They should be limited to liturgical ministry only.
• C. They should participate actively in the Church’s mission by living the Gospel in family, work, and public life, contributing to evangelization and social witness.
• D. They should withdraw from public life.

Answer: (C)

Vatican II teaches that the laity are called to share in the Church’s mission by living the Gospel in all the ordinary moments of life—within the family, at work, and in public society—and by actively contributing to evangelization and social witness. This is the lay apostolate: Christians sanctify the world from within and testify to Christ in every sphere of life, not just within liturgical settings.

That’s why the best answer includes both living the Gospel in daily life and actively supporting evangelization and social witness. Limiting the laity to liturgical ministry, or sending them to withdraw from public life, contradicts this vision. The chosen option most fully captures the Vatican II understanding.