I refer to the excellent article (February 27) by Alfred Darmanin, SJ headed `Formation of lay ministers - a key priority for our local Church.` As a layperson voluntarily involved in the life and mission of the Church, allow me to express my opinion on this issue.

I ask the first question. In our present avant-garde culture which often tends to compromise on solid Christian values, in a scenario of social and moral decay, is the existing ecclesiastical set-up in right gear to service the ever increasing demands for guidance and other pastoral work? I go a step further. The demand is there. And it is becoming more serious and aggressive with the decline of priestly and other religious vocations.

Indeed, turning to lay people as a last resort is management by crisis. In my opinion the crisis already exists. It would be unfair to entrust the burden of pastoral and other Church ministry work on lay collaborators without providing the necessary training in the respective field appropriate to each particular ministry. More serious than unfair, it can become dangerous when lay people who seriously lack leadership skills and charisma are placed in positions of authority.

Is it not of concern, for instance, that when discussing very sensitive social, religious, moral and spiritual issues on the media there seems to be no distinction between lay persons sharing their own personal views and the solid teachings of the Catholic Church?

The fear faced by some local priests that lay ministers will take over their work is, in my opinion, totally unfounded. Lay ministers can never substitute the dignified vocation of the priest or religious. The priest will always remain a priest. Lay ministers, after all, will have to operate within parameters approved by the Church and which ensure full accountability.

Perhaps a more subtle fear lies in the fact that lay people called to serve the Church as lay ministers will in fact deter a higher calling for the priesthood and religious. I believe that having dedicated lay ministers within the Church will in fact promote more priestly vocations from among themselves and for others.

The important contribution of lay people in the life and mission of the Church, be it in the local parish setting, Catholic schools, workplaces, retreat centres and other environments cannot be undermined. Indeed, I am hoping that the Diocesan Synod will seriously address the issue of on-going formation of lay ministers. May trust be placed not solely in what can be achieved by human efforts, but above all in seeking to obey the divine will for the glory of God.