Laity, Marriage, Family Life, and Youth

Welcome to the website of the Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth. Here you will find lots of information about:

• how you – whether you're young or older, married or single -- can participate in the life and mission of the Catholic Church;

• why the faithful witness and service of all the Catholic laity is essential for bringing Christ's message to the world and transforming all aspects of our culture according to his plan;

• what the Catholic Church teaches about many issues that are important to the followers of Christ today, especially in marriage and family life; --which resources and programs can be used effectively by laity in leadership and ministerial roles;

• the many lay groups and associations that provide faith formation and leadership in church ministries;

• the services, programs and resources that the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops offers to individuals, youth and young adults, married couples, families, groups, parishes and dioceses.

Our work is based on a vision of the Church expressed by St. Paul in his First Letter to the Corinthians:

There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit (12:4-7).

See the Committee mandate, members and staff.