The NCPR has been commissioned by the Australian Catholic University to conduct research on the qualities and qualifications of lay leaders in Church governance as part of Year Two of its Inclusive Governance in a Synodal Church (IGSC) Project.
Background
The Final Report of the Synod on Synodality (2021–2024) reaffirmed that baptism is the foundation of the laity’s vocation and mission. Flowing from their baptism, the People of God are called to holiness and to active participation in evangelisation. Central to this call is the recruitment and formation of lay people in Church governance who can bring their spiritual gifts or charisms to the personal and communal mission of serving the Church and the world. Global consultations during the Synod identified four key themes:
- A strong desire among laypeople to realise their baptismal calling through inclusion in Church life.
- Limited participation of laypeople in governance structures.
- The need to build synodal relationships of trust, dialogue, and mutual understanding.
- The urgent requirement for formation across all ecclesial roles to enable synodality.
The Synod’s Final Report (2024) explicitly calls for lay participation in all phases of decision-making (para 77); deeper research on synodality (para. 67), and formation grounded in theological, biblical, and spiritual foundations (para. 80). The Inclusive Governance in a Synodal Church (IGSC) Project responds to these calls, with the projects in Year Two (2025-2026) having a particular focus on formation for laypeople in governance roles.
The Study
Building on the IGSC’s Year One research into lay involvement in Ministerial Public Juridic Persons (MPJPs), the Qualities and Qualifications of Lay Leaders in Church Governance study broadens its scope to include the formation of laypeople currently contributing to ecclesial consultation, discernment, and decision-making. It draws on Pope Benedict XVI’s vision of co-responsibility, which emphasises shared formation for priests, religious, and laity to strengthen pastoral structures (2009 Pastoral Convention of the Diocese of Rome). The project adopts a synodal approach in collaboration with the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference Commission for Evangelisation, Ministry and Laity, Catholic Religious Australia, and the Australian Association of Ministerial Public Juridic Persons, as well as similar entities in New Zealand, Canada, Ireland, and other countries.
Research Question, Methodology and Objectives
The main research question for this study is: What are the qualities and qualifications, dispositions and attributes expected of lay people in fulfilling decision-taking and decision-making roles in the Church?
The study involves an online survey, with some participants opting to participate via an interview instead. The research covers matters such as:
- Personal qualities of lay leaders
- Professional qualities and qualifications of lay leaders
- Faith and spirituality of lay leaders
- Participants’ personal experience of being, or working with, a lay leader
- Challenges and barriers to lay leadership in Church governance
The participants in this study include Catholics from 11 Anglophone countries, aged 18 years and over, and are working in decision-making positions in the Church. These include bishops, senior executives of Catholic organisations, key diocesan staff and other decision-makers who work closely with bishops at the local (diocesan), national or international level.
The findings of this research project will offer a number of benefits to the Catholic community, including:
- Gaining a greater understanding of the qualities and qualifications required for a lay leader in Church governance.
- An opportunity for participants to share their experiences with the global Catholic community and contribute to practical outcomes for the future formation and recruitment of lay people in Church governance roles.
- Supporting the implementation of outcomes from the Synod on Synodality.
Report
The final report for this study is expected to be delivered at the Year Two Symposium in Rome in early June 2026. A copy of the findings will be published online in late 2026.