Dun Gorg and the laity

The canonisation of Blessed Gorg Preca is a milestone in the history and pastoral activity of the Church in Malta. Dun Gorg's magnificent contribution in the field of catechetics through the active involvement, organisation and formation of the laity is undisputed.

As the Church evolved with time, especially with the unique insights of Vatican II's ecclesiology centring on the Church as a communion of faith, hope and love, Dun Gorg's canonisation takes a different slant. The letter to the Ephesians says that irrespective if we are bishops, priests and laity we "are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel" (Eph 3, 6).

Blessed Gorg Preca represents a type of spirituality whereby the priest takes care of the flock. He is the pastor, the one who accompanies his flock. In view of Vatican II's emphasis on the laity as protagonists in the Church's mission can we say that the time has come in the Church where we realise that the laity can accompany our priests? If God "shows no partiality" (Rom 2, 11) and "give[s] the Holy Spirit to those who ask him" (Lk 11, 13) can he not show his loving mercy for his priests today by calling certain members of the lay faithful to accompany them in their journey of fidelity to Christ and the Church? Holiness is not the monopoly of bishops, priests and deacons. The laity "share [with them]...the universal call to holiness in the perfection of love" (Christifideles Laici, 55)

May Dun Gorg's canonisation serve as an impetus for some of the members of the faithful to discover this important and hidden vocation in the Church to accompany our shepherds and for us priests to recognise and be open to it with an open mind and heart.