Basic Ecclesial Basic Ecclesial CommunitiesCommunities

An Expression of a Renewed An Expression of a Renewed ChurchChurch

in the Philippinesin the Philippines

Rev. Amado L. Picardal, CSsR, STD

The PCP II Vision of a Renewed The PCP II Vision of a Renewed Church and the Ecclesiology of Basic Church and the Ecclesiology of Basic Ecclesial CommunitiesEcclesial Communities

Historical and Phenomenological Historical and Phenomenological Perspectives of the Basic Ecclesial Perspectives of the Basic Ecclesial Communities in the PhilippinesCommunities in the Philippines

The PCP II Vision The PCP II Vision of a Renewed of a Renewed

ChurchChurchThe Basic Ecclesial The Basic Ecclesial Communities: An Communities: An

Ecclesiological PerspectiveEcclesiological Perspective

The Second Plenary Council The Second Plenary Council of the Philippines (PCP II)of the Philippines (PCP II)

A gathering of over 450 Church A gathering of over 450 Church leaders (bishops, priests, religious leaders (bishops, priests, religious & lay people) held in January to & lay people) held in January to February 1991February 1991

Held 26 years after Vatican II and 5 Held 26 years after Vatican II and 5 years after EDSA uprisingyears after EDSA uprising

To reflect on the identity and To reflect on the identity and mission of the Church in the context mission of the Church in the context of new realitiesof new realities

PCP II DocumentPCP II Document

I.I. Lights & Shadows: The Philippine Lights & Shadows: The Philippine SituationSituation

II.II. A Vision of a Church RenewedA Vision of a Church Renewed

III.III. Renewed Integral EvangelizationRenewed Integral Evangelization

IV.IV. Workers of RenewalWorkers of Renewal

PCP II Vision of a Renewed PCP II Vision of a Renewed ChurchChurch

Community of DisciplesCommunity of Disciples

living in living in communioncommunion

participatingparticipating in the in the mission of mission of ChristChrist

as a as a propheticprophetic, , priestlypriestly & & kingly peoplekingly people

and as a and as a Church of the PoorChurch of the Poor

Sources of PCP II Vision of Sources of PCP II Vision of a Renewed Churcha Renewed Church

Vatican II Vision of the Church as Vatican II Vision of the Church as Communion and as People of God – a Communion and as People of God – a priestly, prophetic and kingly peoplepriestly, prophetic and kingly people

MSPC (Mindanao-Sulu Pastoral MSPC (Mindanao-Sulu Pastoral Conference) Vision of the Church as a Conference) Vision of the Church as a witnessing, worshipping and serving witnessing, worshipping and serving communitycommunity

The FABC (Federation of Asian The FABC (Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conference) vision of the Bishops’ Conference) vision of the Church as Church of the Poor.Church as Church of the Poor.

PCP II brings together under the PCP II brings together under the heading of Community of disciples heading of Community of disciples the various models of the Church: the various models of the Church: communion, herald (prophetic), communion, herald (prophetic), sacramental (priestly), servant sacramental (priestly), servant (kingly), & church of the poor.(kingly), & church of the poor.

It further links its realization in the It further links its realization in the Basic Ecclesial CommunitiesBasic Ecclesial Communities

BECs as Expression of the BECs as Expression of the PCP IIPCP II

Vision of a Renewed ChurchVision of a Renewed Church““Our vision of the Church as Our vision of the Church as communion, participation and communion, participation and mission, about the Church as mission, about the Church as priestly, prophetic, & kingly people, priestly, prophetic, & kingly people, and as a Church of the Poor- a and as a Church of the Poor- a church that is renewed - is today church that is renewed - is today finding expression in one ecclesial finding expression in one ecclesial movement. This is the movement to movement. This is the movement to foster Basic Ecclesial Communities.” foster Basic Ecclesial Communities.” par 137par 137

Prophetic

(witnessing)

Kingly

(servant)

Priestly

(worshipping)

PCP II Vision of BECs: PCP II Vision of BECs: Community of DisciplesCommunity of Disciples

BECs as Way of Being BECs as Way of Being ChurchChurch Thus, when we speak about a new way Thus, when we speak about a new way

of being Church we refer to the PCP II of being Church we refer to the PCP II vision of renewed Church which finds vision of renewed Church which finds expression in the BECs.expression in the BECs.

What can be said about the Church in What can be said about the Church in general can be said about BECs. The general can be said about BECs. The BECs are the microcosm of the Church BECs are the microcosm of the Church – it is a new way of being Church.– it is a new way of being Church.

The BECs are the most local expression The BECs are the most local expression of the Church: the church at the of the Church: the church at the grassroots, the church in the grassroots, the church in the neighborhood, the church in the neighborhood, the church in the barangay.barangay.

BECs a Way of Being BECs a Way of Being ChurchChurch

Through the BECs, the Church is truly Through the BECs, the Church is truly experienced as a community of experienced as a community of disciples.disciples.

The lay faithful experience communion.The lay faithful experience communion. The lay faithful live out their vocation The lay faithful live out their vocation

as people of God that participates in as people of God that participates in Christ’s prophetic, priestly and kingly Christ’s prophetic, priestly and kingly missionmission

The church becomes truly the Church The church becomes truly the Church of the Poorof the Poor

The Church as The Church as CommunionCommunion

The image of Church as communion The image of Church as communion emphasizes the communitarian and emphasizes the communitarian and interpersonal dimension of the interpersonal dimension of the Church.Church.

Ecclesial communion can be lived Ecclesial communion can be lived out in various levels:out in various levels: Universal (communion of local Universal (communion of local

Churches)Churches) Local (communion of dioceses/parishes)Local (communion of dioceses/parishes) Parish (communion of BECs)Parish (communion of BECs)

BECs as Expression of BECs as Expression of CommunionCommunion

According to John Paul II, the BECs can be According to John Paul II, the BECs can be “true expression of communion and a “true expression of communion and a means towards construction of a more means towards construction of a more profound communion.”profound communion.”

In the BECs the members have a strong In the BECs the members have a strong sense of belonging & responsibility for one sense of belonging & responsibility for one another.another.

The members experience the bond of unity The members experience the bond of unity which is based on shared faith, celebrated which is based on shared faith, celebrated in the breaking of the bread, concretely in the breaking of the bread, concretely expressed in the sharing of material goods.expressed in the sharing of material goods.

Living in Communion Living in Communion as BECsas BECs

A new way of being Church means A new way of being Church means looking at the parish as network of looking at the parish as network of BECs – a communion of communions.BECs – a communion of communions.

The members of BECs experience The members of BECs experience communion among themselves, while communion among themselves, while each BEC is linked to other BECS.each BEC is linked to other BECS.

Although ministered by lay leaders, Although ministered by lay leaders, the BECs maintain a bond of the BECs maintain a bond of communion with their pastors – the communion with their pastors – the parish priests & the bishop.parish priests & the bishop.

Church as People of God: Church as People of God: Prophetic, Priestly & Prophetic, Priestly &

KinglyKingly Vatican II & PCP II views the Church as Vatican II & PCP II views the Church as

a people of God that is prophetic, a people of God that is prophetic, priestly & kingly by nature and mission.priestly & kingly by nature and mission.

This image of the Church asserts that This image of the Church asserts that all the baptized share in the life and all the baptized share in the life and mission of the Church.mission of the Church.

Thus, the laity have the right and Thus, the laity have the right and responsibility to actively participate in responsibility to actively participate in the prophetic, priestly and kingly the prophetic, priestly and kingly mission of the Churchmission of the Church

Prophetic, Priestly, Kingly Prophetic, Priestly, Kingly PeoplePeople

This provides us with a holistic view of the This provides us with a holistic view of the Church.Church.

It negates the exclusively liturgical/ It negates the exclusively liturgical/ sacramental image of the Church.sacramental image of the Church.

The Church is not only a worshipping The Church is not only a worshipping community, it is also a prophetic and community, it is also a prophetic and servant community. servant community.

This image of the Church can be This image of the Church can be experienced by ordinary lay people at the experienced by ordinary lay people at the BECs since these are prophetic, priestly and BECs since these are prophetic, priestly and servant communities.servant communities.

The Church as Prophetic The Church as Prophetic PeoplePeople

It has the mission of proclaiming the It has the mission of proclaiming the Good news – a mission of evangelization Good news – a mission of evangelization & catechesis.& catechesis.

It is also called to be the conscience of It is also called to be the conscience of society – this is the mission of society – this is the mission of denouncing evil and all its denouncing evil and all its manifestation: injustice, oppression, manifestation: injustice, oppression, violence, the culture of death.violence, the culture of death.

It witnesses to the word & calls people It witnesses to the word & calls people to conversion.to conversion.

The prophetic mission of the church can The prophetic mission of the church can be exercised in the universal and local be exercised in the universal and local level by the hierarchy and the laity,level by the hierarchy and the laity,

BECs as Prophetic BECs as Prophetic CommunitiesCommunities

It is in and through BECs that lay people It is in and through BECs that lay people can participate in the prophetic mission of can participate in the prophetic mission of the Church.the Church.

The BECs come together to listen to the The BECs come together to listen to the Word, to proclaim and give witness to it.Word, to proclaim and give witness to it.

They are evangelized and evangelizing They are evangelized and evangelizing communities, they are witnessing communities, they are witnessing communities.communities.

BECs have the task of evangelizing & BECs have the task of evangelizing & catechizing families, neighborhood catechizing families, neighborhood communities and barangays.communities and barangays.

BECs as Prophetic BECs as Prophetic CommunitiesCommunities

BECs carry out their prophetic & BECs carry out their prophetic & evangelizing mission whenever they evangelizing mission whenever they come together in their homes and come together in their homes and chapels for their bible-service to chapels for their bible-service to reflect on the word of God and their reflect on the word of God and their concrete situation.concrete situation.

The BECs also exercise the prophetic The BECs also exercise the prophetic role by denouncing evil in all its role by denouncing evil in all its manifestation: the culture of death, manifestation: the culture of death, the violation of human rights, the violation of human rights, injustice, exploitation, oppression, etc.injustice, exploitation, oppression, etc.

The BECs call everyone to conversionThe BECs call everyone to conversion The BECs announce a message of The BECs announce a message of

salvation & liberation, of justice and salvation & liberation, of justice and peace.peace.

The Church as Priestly The Church as Priestly PeoplePeople

The Church is a worshipping and The Church is a worshipping and celebrating community. celebrating community.

The priesthood of the faithful is The priesthood of the faithful is expressed in the full and active expressed in the full and active participation in the liturgical and participation in the liturgical and sacramental celebration.sacramental celebration.

The lay-faithful can exercise their The lay-faithful can exercise their priestly mission not only in the priestly mission not only in the parish level but also in BECs.parish level but also in BECs.

BECs as Priestly BECs as Priestly CommunitiesCommunities

They gather weekly in their chapel to They gather weekly in their chapel to celebrate the Liturgy of the Word celebrate the Liturgy of the Word presided by lay leaders.presided by lay leaders.

Their monthly or bi-monthly celebration Their monthly or bi-monthly celebration of the Eucharist with the parish priest is of the Eucharist with the parish priest is festive and well participated.festive and well participated.

They have communal liturgies or rituals They have communal liturgies or rituals for various occasions (birthdays, planting for various occasions (birthdays, planting & harvesting, sickness, wakes & funerals)& harvesting, sickness, wakes & funerals)

Priestly/Worshipping Priestly/Worshipping CommunitiesCommunities

Bible-Service/

Liturgy of the Word

BEC Mass

The Kingly/Servant The Kingly/Servant PeoplePeople

The Church as a Kingly People is called to The Church as a Kingly People is called to be a Servant Church.be a Servant Church.

The mission of the church is not purely The mission of the church is not purely spiritual.spiritual.

The Church is called to be attentive to the The Church is called to be attentive to the situation of poverty, injustice, armed situation of poverty, injustice, armed conflict, human rights violation, ecological conflict, human rights violation, ecological degradation,degradation,

PCP II calls for a renewed social apostolate PCP II calls for a renewed social apostolate and for the Church to actively participate in and for the Church to actively participate in the work for justice, peace, development & the work for justice, peace, development & integrity of creation. The church is to be integrity of creation. The church is to be involved in social transformation.involved in social transformation.

BECs as Serving BECs as Serving CommunitiesCommunities

It is in & through the BECs that lay It is in & through the BECs that lay people can actively participate in the people can actively participate in the process of social transformation.process of social transformation.

In response to the problem of poverty, In response to the problem of poverty, they can set up socio-economic they can set up socio-economic projects (IGP, livelihood, cooperatives, projects (IGP, livelihood, cooperatives, sustainable agriculture, etc.)sustainable agriculture, etc.)

Cooperative

BECs as Serving BECs as Serving CommunitiesCommunities

In response to the armed conflict, they can In response to the armed conflict, they can establish peace zones and be part of the peace establish peace zones and be part of the peace movement that pressures the government and movement that pressures the government and revolutionary forces to pursue the peace process.revolutionary forces to pursue the peace process.

BECs as Serving BECs as Serving Communities Communities

To ensure clean and honest elections, To ensure clean and honest elections, the BECs can be mobilized to help the the BECs can be mobilized to help the PPCRV or NAMFREL.PPCRV or NAMFREL.

They can help in defending the They can help in defending the environment environment

They can be mobilized to participate They can be mobilized to participate in nationwide prayer rallies and vigils in nationwide prayer rallies and vigils for various causes taken up by the for various causes taken up by the CBCP or the dioceseCBCP or the diocese

The Church of the PoorThe Church of the Poor The most popular image of the Church in The most popular image of the Church in

PCP II – the Church of the poorPCP II – the Church of the poor This requires that the leaders and This requires that the leaders and

members of the Church embrace members of the Church embrace evangelical poverty, live a simple life-style evangelical poverty, live a simple life-style and share their resources with the poor.and share their resources with the poor.

Those who are not poor are called to make Those who are not poor are called to make an option for the poor, to be in solidarity an option for the poor, to be in solidarity with the poor and to defend their rights.with the poor and to defend their rights.

The poor members are empowered & The poor members are empowered & called to actively participate in the life & called to actively participate in the life & mission of the Church.mission of the Church.

BECs as expression of the BECs as expression of the Church of the PoorChurch of the Poor

The BECs enable the poor to embrace The BECs enable the poor to embrace evangelical poverty and to actively evangelical poverty and to actively participate in the Church’s prophetic, participate in the Church’s prophetic, priestly and pastoral missionpriestly and pastoral mission

The poor are not only evangelized, they also The poor are not only evangelized, they also become evangelizersbecome evangelizers

The poor are not just passive recipients of The poor are not just passive recipients of aid, they are active participants in the aid, they are active participants in the process of social transformation. The poor process of social transformation. The poor are empowered to struggle for peace, are empowered to struggle for peace, justice, development, liberation and the justice, development, liberation and the integrity of creationintegrity of creation

BECs in the BECs in the PhilippinesPhilippines

Historical & Historical & Phenomenological Phenomenological

PerspectivePerspective

Emergence of BECsEmergence of BECs The BECs (BCCs) first The BECs (BCCs) first

emerged in Mindanao, emerged in Mindanao, Southern Philippines in the Southern Philippines in the late 60s, a few years after late 60s, a few years after Vatican IIVatican II

The formation of BECs was The formation of BECs was part of post-conciliar part of post-conciliar renewal carried out by renewal carried out by foreign missionaries and foreign missionaries and local clergy.local clergy.

The Mindanao-Sulu Pastoral The Mindanao-Sulu Pastoral Conference (MSPC) Conference (MSPC) promoted the formation of promoted the formation of BECs since the early 1970sBECs since the early 1970s

Growth of BECs under Growth of BECs under Martial LawMartial Law

Many BECs in Mindanao, Many BECs in Mindanao, Visayas & Luzon were Visayas & Luzon were formed during the Martial formed during the Martial Law period. Law period.

The unhampered growth of The unhampered growth of BECs from the early 70s to BECs from the early 70s to the late 70s. There were the late 70s. There were various groups & various groups & institutions promoting institutions promoting BECs: MSPC, KrisKa, RMT, BECs: MSPC, KrisKa, RMT, BCC-CO, etc.BCC-CO, etc.

Many BECs that emerged Many BECs that emerged became prophetic & acted became prophetic & acted as centers of resistance to as centers of resistance to the Marcos regime.the Marcos regime.

Awareness/conscientization seminars were Awareness/conscientization seminars were given that awakened the members of the given that awakened the members of the BECs to the reality of the situation. BECs to the reality of the situation.

The liturgies that were celebrated during The liturgies that were celebrated during Advent, Christmas, Lent and Holy Week Advent, Christmas, Lent and Holy Week were correlated with the situation of were correlated with the situation of poverty, injustice, oppression and violation poverty, injustice, oppression and violation of human rights. of human rights.

The drama workshops also highlighted the The drama workshops also highlighted the situation under a repressive dictatorial situation under a repressive dictatorial regime.regime.

The ongoing bible-reflection and bible-The ongoing bible-reflection and bible-service also referred to the current situation service also referred to the current situation

The bible-reflection sessions and the The bible-reflection sessions and the liturgies became spaces where people liturgies became spaces where people could break the culture of silence and could break the culture of silence and fear and encouraged them to fear and encouraged them to participate in the struggle against the participate in the struggle against the dictatorial regime. dictatorial regime.

There were BECs that became There were BECs that became involved in militant activities – such involved in militant activities – such as protest marches and rallies against as protest marches and rallies against various issues (military abuses, various issues (military abuses, human rights violations, U.S. bases, human rights violations, U.S. bases, dam project, land reform, etc.). dam project, land reform, etc.).

Suspicion and Repression Suspicion and Repression of BECsof BECs

All these led to the suspicion that the All these led to the suspicion that the BECs were being used by groups BECs were being used by groups struggling against the Marcos regime. struggling against the Marcos regime.

In a master’s thesis on “Contemporary In a master’s thesis on “Contemporary Religious Radicalism in the Philippines” Religious Radicalism in the Philippines” which he submitted to the National which he submitted to the National Defence College in the 1979, Colonel Defence College in the 1979, Colonel Galileo Kintanar wrote that the religious Galileo Kintanar wrote that the religious radicals were building up the BECs as radicals were building up the BECs as “an infrastructure of political power” “an infrastructure of political power” that could pose as a threat to national that could pose as a threat to national security.security.

The identification of the BECs with the Left The identification of the BECs with the Left gave the military a pretext to harass the gave the military a pretext to harass the BECs.BECs.

Many of the development projects such as Many of the development projects such as cooperatives, communal farms & community cooperatives, communal farms & community based health projects were suppressed on based health projects were suppressed on the suspicion that these were being used to the suspicion that these were being used to support the revolutionary movement. support the revolutionary movement.

There were chapels that were closed and the There were chapels that were closed and the people were forbidden to gather for prayer people were forbidden to gather for prayer and bible-service.and bible-service.

Leaders and members of BECs were Leaders and members of BECs were arrested and some were killed. Those who arrested and some were killed. Those who died were regarded as BEC martyrs. died were regarded as BEC martyrs.

The military harassment and the loss of The military harassment and the loss of support from some bishops and priests support from some bishops and priests led to the weakening of many BECs. led to the weakening of many BECs.

Many of those that continued focused on Many of those that continued focused on liturgical activities and abandoned the liturgical activities and abandoned the developmental and militant activities to developmental and militant activities to play safe.play safe.

Yet there were still BECs that continued Yet there were still BECs that continued to exercise their prophetic mission. to exercise their prophetic mission.

Development of BECs after Development of BECs after EDSAEDSA

After the collapse of the Marcos dictatorial After the collapse of the Marcos dictatorial regime, BECs continued to developregime, BECs continued to develop

Many remained liturgical-evangelical orientedMany remained liturgical-evangelical oriented Some BEC programs identified with the left Some BEC programs identified with the left

folded up due to the split within the folded up due to the split within the revolutionary movement and the drying up of revolutionary movement and the drying up of funds (BCC-CO)funds (BCC-CO)

But there were BECs that engaged in But there were BECs that engaged in environmental issues (anti-logging, anti-dam, environmental issues (anti-logging, anti-dam, anti-mining)anti-mining)

Others got involved in peace-building, setting up Others got involved in peace-building, setting up the “Peace Zones.”the “Peace Zones.”

Other BECs emphasized economic development Other BECs emphasized economic development & poverty alleviation programs & poverty alleviation programs

New impetus in building BECs after New impetus in building BECs after PCP II – diocesan approachPCP II – diocesan approach

Building BECs as part of PCP II Building BECs as part of PCP II reception & implementation reception & implementation (renewing the church)(renewing the church)

The BECs are now established in over The BECs are now established in over 55 dioceses in the Philippines. BEC 55 dioceses in the Philippines. BEC National Assembly in November 2002National Assembly in November 2002

The CBCP has recently established a The CBCP has recently established a national BEC desk headed by national BEC desk headed by Archbishop Quevedo that will help in Archbishop Quevedo that will help in promoting the formation of BECs all promoting the formation of BECs all over country over country

II. DESCRIBING BECsII. DESCRIBING BECs

BECs as generic term for small BECs as generic term for small faith-communities emerging at faith-communities emerging at the grassroots (BCCs, SCCs, the grassroots (BCCs, SCCs, GKKs, GSK, MSKs, KrisKa, GKKs, GSK, MSKs, KrisKa, Damayan & other local names)Damayan & other local names)

CommunitiesCommunities

They are They are communitiescommunities, not , not organizations, prayer groups, organizations, prayer groups, societies or associations. They societies or associations. They are not specialized groups but are not specialized groups but stable environment. The stable environment. The members often live in close members often live in close proximity and interact with each proximity and interact with each

other regularlyother regularly. .

Basic CommunitiesBasic Communities

They are They are basic communitiesbasic communities, , because of their size, the because of their size, the quality of relationship among quality of relationship among the members and their social the members and their social location (base, grassroots)location (base, grassroots)

EcclesialEcclesial

They are referred to as They are referred to as ecclesial ecclesial because they are considered as because they are considered as a way of being Church.a way of being Church.They are the church at the They are the church at the microcosm, the church at the microcosm, the church at the grassroots – in the grassroots – in the neighborhood & the village.neighborhood & the village.

Description: PCP IIDescription: PCP II

They are small communities of Christian, They are small communities of Christian, usually of families who gather around the usually of families who gather around the Word of God & the Eucharist.Word of God & the Eucharist.

These communities are united to their These communities are united to their pastors but are ministered to regularly by pastors but are ministered to regularly by lay leaders. The members know each other lay leaders. The members know each other by name & share not only the Word of God by name & share not only the Word of God & the Eucharist but also their concerns & the Eucharist but also their concerns both material & spiritualboth material & spiritual

They have a strong sense of belongingness They have a strong sense of belongingness & responsibility for one another& responsibility for one another (par 138) (par 138)

Usually emerging from the grassroots Usually emerging from the grassroots among poor farmers & workers, among poor farmers & workers,

BECs consciously strive to integrate their BECs consciously strive to integrate their faith & their daily life.faith & their daily life.

They are guided & encouraged by regular They are guided & encouraged by regular

catechesiscatechesis. . Poverty & their faith urge their members Poverty & their faith urge their members towards towards

solidarity with one another,solidarity with one another,

action for justiceaction for justice

& towards a vibrant celebration of life in & towards a vibrant celebration of life in the liturgy.the liturgy.

(par 139)(par 139)

Various Configurations Various Configurations of BECsof BECs

Chapel-based local communitiesChapel-based local communities (rural areas, (rural areas, villages, barrios). 40-200 members. They villages, barrios). 40-200 members. They gather in their chapel. gather in their chapel.

Neighborhood cells/family groupingsNeighborhood cells/family groupings (urban (urban areas). 10-20 members, gather in their homes areas). 10-20 members, gather in their homes

Combination: chapel-based local communities Combination: chapel-based local communities with neighborhood cellswith neighborhood cells (rural & urban areas). (rural & urban areas).

Intentional communitiesIntentional communities (urban areas). 10-15 (urban areas). 10-15 members who do not live in close proximity. members who do not live in close proximity. They gather in their homes, workplace, or They gather in their homes, workplace, or institutions. institutions.

Kinds of BECsKinds of BECs Evangelical/Liturgical BECsEvangelical/Liturgical BECs.. The activities The activities

are limited to bible-sharing/faith-sharing, are limited to bible-sharing/faith-sharing, Celebration of the Word (bible-servic), Celebration of the Word (bible-servic), sacramental & liturgical celebrations (esp. sacramental & liturgical celebrations (esp. Eucharist). Lacking in social concern. Newly-Eucharist). Lacking in social concern. Newly-developed or undeveloped BECs.developed or undeveloped BECs.

Holistic/Transformative BECsHolistic/Transformative BECs. BECs with . BECs with social action component integrated with its social action component integrated with its evangelizing/worshipping activities. These are evangelizing/worshipping activities. These are the fully developed BECs that work for the fully developed BECs that work for progress, peace, justice & social progress, peace, justice & social transformation. (IGP, livelihood programs, transformation. (IGP, livelihood programs, peace zones, etc)peace zones, etc)

The Early Shape of the The Early Shape of the BECBEC

Core Group/Nucleus

Later Development of Later Development of BECBEC

Core Group

Cell

CellCell

CellCell

Structure of Developed Structure of Developed BECBEC

Council of Leaders

Education Service TemporalitiesWorship

Cell Cell Cell CellCell

Youth

Parish Organizational Parish Organizational StructureStructure

PP

Parish Pastoral Council

Parish Office Staff

Parish PastoralWorkers

EducationWorshipService

Social ActionTemporalities

(Finance)Youth

BEC Zone BEC Zone BEC Zone BEC Zone BEC Zone

Summing upSumming up BECs have sprouted all over the countryBECs have sprouted all over the country There is parallel but uneven development There is parallel but uneven development

of BECs – in some places they are already of BECs – in some places they are already established & are part of the structure of established & are part of the structure of the local church, while others are just the local church, while others are just starting. There are still many places starting. There are still many places where there are no BECs yet.where there are no BECs yet.

The formation of BECs is part of the The formation of BECs is part of the ongoing efforts to renew the Church ongoing efforts to renew the Church since Vatican II. It is a new way of being since Vatican II. It is a new way of being Church.Church.

The BECs are signs of vitality in the

Church …

a cause of great hope for the Church,

and a solid starting point for a new

society based on a civilization of love.

John Paul II

Redemptoris Missio