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Role of Lay Wealthy

Role of Lay Wealthy. Dr. Ann T. Orlando 18 April 2013. Outline. Lay Responsibilities before Constantine Lay Responsibilities after Constantine Christian Lay Roles in Society . Laity before Constantine. In early Church, wealthier Christians provided places to hold liturgies

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Role of Lay Wealthy

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  1. Role of Lay Wealthy Dr. Ann T. Orlando 18 April 2013

  2. Outline • Lay Responsibilities before Constantine • Lay Responsibilities after Constantine • Christian Lay Roles in Society

  3. Laity before Constantine • In early Church, wealthier Christians provided places to hold liturgies • Wealthier Christians supported poorer members of the Church • Including some far beyond the immediate civic area (e.g., Paul’s collection for the saints in Jerusalem) • Key role of laity, as it was for those holding ecclesial offices, was as witness (martyrs) to the pagan world

  4. Roman Persecution of Christians • Christians were not killed because they were practiced Christianity; killed because they refused to also practice Roman religion • Persecutions in 1st and 2nd C, with a few exceptions, were local and sporadic • Jealousy of neighbors • Persecutions increased during stressful times • Review Letters of Pliny and Trajan

  5. Reaction of Christian Community to Persecution • Martyrs were (are) the heroes of the faith • Martyr from Greek wordmeaning witness • Did not have to die to be a martyr; any one who suffered for the faith was a martyr • Living martyrs (confessors) had the highest standing in the Church • Church equally honored women and men who were martyrs

  6. After Constantine • Christianity becomes the favored religion of the Emperors • Thus many seek to become Christians for social and political advantages • Many extraordinarily wealthy families become Christians

  7. Major Issues Within the Church • Who are heroes now that there are no longer martyrs? • How to deal with new members who may be joining Church because it is politically expedient? • What is relation between bishops and civil rulers? • Evolves very differently in the East and West

  8. Role of Wealthy Laity • Extremely wealthy and powerful directly involved in Church • Constantine assumes position of an Apostle • Some extremely wealthy abandon wealth and become monks • Paulinus of Nola • Melania the Younger • Most look for ways to be wealthy and adhere to call of Gospel • Donations to Church • Almsgiving

  9. Massive Wealth Transfer to Church • Much of Brown’s Eye of the Needle focuses on the transfer of wealth to the Church in 4th and 5th C • With that transfer, Church assumes new responsibilities in society • Judicial (bishops) • Civic building maintenance • Protection • Social stability • Church becomes a partner with wealthy in society

  10. Means of Support of Church • Donations • Tithing (money) • Land • Almsgiving • Inheritance • Used as a means to ensure prayers for dead patron • Heirs sometimes appeal terms of patron’s will, but to an ecclesial court • Some clergy encouraged leaving all to Church or monastery (Salvian, for instance) • Monastery preferred by many patrons because more easily ensure • But often creates real hardships for family

  11. Christian Understanding of Role of Laity in Society • Work toward a just society • By a life of Christian charity toward neighbor • Support family as basis of society • Chastity within marriage for men as well as women • Welcoming all children into family • Ultimate ruler of family is God • Honorably perform civic roles (especially wealthy) • Against corruption in office • Christian soldiers • How to perform necessary acts of warfare as a Christian

  12. Augustine, Sermon 348 • Written in last year(s) of his life • Occasion maybe coming Vandal invasion • Need for Holy Fear in face of life’s difficulties • Fear that leads to charity • Note concern about actions out of love of self, rather than love of God

  13. Augustine, Letter 189 “To Boniface” • Boniface was a Christian general leading an army against the barbarian invasion • Probably written 415-420 • One of earliest examples of Christian support for military • Aim of war should be peace • War is part of our imperfect world • Boniface, though a soldier, should live as a Christian as he defends society

  14. Assignments • Read Augustine, Sermon 348 found in Works of Augustine, Sermons 341-400 (III/10), translated Edmund Hill, New York: New City Press, 1965. and • Augustine, Letter 189 “To Boniface” found in Works of Augustine, Letters 156 – 210 (II/3) translated by Roland Teske, New York: New City Press, 1990. • Brown, Through the Eye of the Needle, Chapter 21, 22 • Compendium of Catholic Social Doctrine, 541-548 • Write Short Paper: Benjamin

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