CONSECRATED LIFE IN THE STRUCTURE OF THE CHURCH
One of the legacies of the Second Vatican Council is a Church that is to be understood as the people of God, the community of the faithful where all members share equality of dignity and action by virtue of their baptism (Can. 208). In this community, all members participate in the vocation and mission of the Church though in varying degrees and according to the conditions of each member such as laity, religious or clerics. However, there is always a contention on where to place the rank of consecrated life where the ranks of laity and cleric tends to be so pronounced. Our discussion therefore would attempt to situate the consecrated life within the various ranks of the Church and clearly indicate the nature and importance of the state of consecrated life in the Church.
Keywords: church, consecrated, life, structure