In the Church there are the -> LAITY and clerics (->CLERGY). As children of God, they are of equal dignity. They have equally important but different tasks. The mission of the Laity is to direct the whole world toward the kingdom of God. In addition, there are the ordained ministers (clerics), who have the duties of ecclesiastical governance, teaching, and sanctification. In both states of life, there are Christians who pace themselves at God’s disposal in a special way through celibacy, poverty, and obedience (for example, consecrated religious). [871-876, 934, 935]
Every Christian has the duty to bear witness to the Gospel by his own life. But God walks a special path with each person. Some he sends as laymen, so that they might build up the kingdom of God by their family and occupation in the midst of the world. For this purpose, he bestows on them in Baptism and -> CONFIRMATION all the necessary gifts of the Holy Spirit. Others he entrusts with the pastoral ministry; they are to govern, teach, and sanctify his people. No one can take this duty upon himself; the Lord himself must send him on his way with his divine power through Holy Orders, so that he can act in the place of Christ and administer the -> SACRAMENT.
