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FAQ - Question 20
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Can Lay people give the Clergy Talks, if the Lay person knows well his religion?

Q.

Can Lay people give the Clergy Talks, if the Lay person knows well his religion? Thanks, Adele Dominguez

R.

"The Fundamental Ideas of the Cursillo Movement" says this about the main Clergy Talk, the Talk on the Sacraments:

« Its objectives are to help the cursillistas 1) become conscious of the richness of sacramental life; 2) discover the sacraments as signs of the love of God and as personal encounters with Christ; 3) appreciate the specific value of each sacrament ; and 4) become disposed toward that full living out of their faith, with reference both to God and to other people, that is inherent in each sacrament.» (FICM, # 396)  

Item 398 adds an important clarification:

« We must be on guard against the temptation to get sidetracked into a more or less expanded catechesis which would dilute the experiential element.».  (FICM, #398)

This talk deals with what is fundamental in all the sacraments, revealing them as signs of God's love and opportunities of a deep and personal encounter with Jesus Christ. Such a presentation is particularly suited to priests, but can also be done by a lay person provided that the latter has a proper theological preparation.

This # 398 reminds us also that the talk on the sacraments must offer a description of each one of the sacraments and that the catechetical needs of the cursillistas should be met not during the weekend but through different training facilities which are provided in the postcursillo. Hence, the current practice in some dioceses to introduce a special talk on marriage, outside the one on the sacraments and entrusted to a married couple under the pretext that maried people know more about marriage than a priest, does not appear to correspond to the Fundamental Ideas.

It is very important that any change in the Cursillo Talks be referred and discussed previously in the General Council before being implemented. By doing so, we can ensure fidelity to the original charism.