Benedict XVI on the laity...

In a meeting with Polish bishops on Saturday Pope Benedict XVI said this (from ZENIT) :

Finally, the Holy Father acknowledged that in the midst of the "silent apostasy" that is verified in some societies, the laity has an "irreplaceable" task, "as it takes place in daily life, in ambits which the priests can only reach with difficulty."

"Participation in public and political life is a specific task of the laity," he reminded, assuring that "one and all have the right and duty to participate in politics."

"The Church does not identify with any party, with any political community, or any political system," the Pontiff said. "Rather, she always reminds that lay people involved in political life must give a courageous and visible witness of Christian values, which must be affirmed and defended in case they are threatened."

The laity must carry out this task "publicly either in debates of a political nature or in the media," he explained.

For political action to be effective, it must be based on "the love of truth and the spirit of service and solidarity in the commitment for the common good," explained the Pope.