Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the relationship of Laiko with the  Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines?

Laiko serves as the implementing office or arm of the Episcopal Commission on the Laity (ECLA), and collaborates with the other CBCP Commissions, Committees and Offices. Thus the Chairman of the ECLA participates in the life and activities of Laiko as National Director.

Link to CBCP Organizational Chart

What is the relationship of Laiko with the other Church  Entities?

Laiko maintains relationships with the Pontifical Council for the Laity and, following the guidelines and directives of the Holy See and of the CBCP, with the national bodies of the laity of other countries; the national coordinating bodies of the clergy and of institutes of consecrated life, both male and female; and the international coordinating bodies of the apostolate of the laity.

What are the Purposes of Laiko?

The Catholic Laity, i.e., “all the faithful except those in holy orders and those in the state of religious life specially approved by the Church”, “by their very vocation, seek the kingdom of God by engaging in temporal affairs and by ordering them according to the plan of God” (Second Vatican Council, Dogmatic Constitution Lumen Gentium on the Church, 31).

In accord with the Second Vatican Council’s Decree Apostolicam actuositatem on the Apostolate of the Laity (n. 26), Laiko is instituted by the CBCP to help the ECLA in carrying out its functions, viz. to “animate and facilitate, coordinate and integrate all forms of lay Catholic action and activity” of all NLAs; and to assist in establishing and coordinating DCLs in the provincial, regional and national levels (cf. CBCP, By Laws, Section 18).

In fulfillment of the purpose for which it was instituted, Laiko may – under the guidance of the National Director and in collaboration with the pertinent ecclesiastical persons and institutes – undertake the following, among others:

  1. unite all efforts among the laity towards the integration of the diferent forms of Christian lay activity from the parochial to the national level so as to attain the Christian renewal of the temporal order;
  2. maintain contact and continuing dialogue among the different Christian lay groups, whether enjoying the mandate of the hierarchy or not, and thus act more effectively in the strengthening of the Christian faith in the individual, in the family and in society in general;
  3. foster the faithful observance of ecclesiastical laws concerning the laity in relation to the Catholic Hierarchy with particular stress on the need of preserving complete adherence, allegiance and loyalty to the Church’s Magisterium;
  4. conduct studies for the further clarification of questions concerning the relationship between the clergy and the laity;
  5. receive, give and provide the information on problems of the lay apostolate and to establish a documentation center that shall give guidance in the formation of the laity;
  6. utilize mass media and other forms of modern means of social communications as an effective instrument of the lay apostolate; and
  7. participate actively in ecumenical activities for the promotion of Christian unity.

What are the benefits of being a LAIKO member?

1)  A depository of wealth of resources that may be able to connect different groups at the service of its members.

  • Diocesan Councils of the Laity in 17 Ecclesiastical Provinces, Traditional Organizations (CWL, AP, et. Al.)
  • Transparochial Groups
  • Recognized Movements and Organizations
  •  An organized body that coordinates with other Commissions at the service of the Church and its members.
  • Commission on Family and Life
  • Commission on Youth
  • Commission on Women
  • Commission on Social Actions, Justice & Peace
  • Other Commissions

2)   Source of information for Church documents pertaining to the Laity.  Through Laiko, we disseminate to our members the directions of the Church issued through:

  • Vatican
  • Apostolic Exhortations
  • Encyclicals
  • Other Documents
  • Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines
  • PCP 2
  • Exhortations
  • Letters and Statements
  • Pronouncements

3)   A need to belong in order to contribute and expand the resources because together, we can be a single voice and be effectively represented in society.

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