Basic Ecclesial Community

What IS ( in singular) or What ARE ( plural) B.E.C. [s]? Basic Ecclesial Community (singular) the Church itself but in its new model! Basic Ecclesial Communities (plural) the key to transform the Church to a new model small communities that are also communities of the small [ in status, the marginalized poor]

The Basic Ecclesial Community [ B.E.C. in singular] To be Church :

A. There must be a community of faith B. With ecclesial signs C. Ecclesial community that is a new model of being Church (called basic) D. Community life of people/persons

The Basic Ecclesial Community [ B.E.C. in singular] To be Church :

A. There must be a community ( of faith people accepting Jesus as Risen & Lord, loving one another and sharing goodness and goods). Then B. With ecclesial signs: - Christian [1-3] and for us, also Catholics [4-6]. 1. with faith in Christ, (committed to his Person, involved in His mission) 2. making decisions with light from the Spirit of Christ, 3. nourished by the Word of Christ, 4. strengthened by the Sacrifice and sacraments of Christ, 5. united with and guided by the pastors or servant leaders of Christ, 6. with Mary, the mother of Christ, our mother and model of being disciples of Jesus

The Basic Ecclesial Community [ B.E.C. in singular] To be Church :

C. Ecclesial community that is a new model of being Church (called basic) 1. in small caring groups within the parish, (PCP IIs Community of Disciples) 2. with preferential option to the poor (PCPs Church of the Poor) 3. Fostering lay leadership and partnership in the mission of evangelization ( participative) 4. for total human liberation and development (PCPs II Integral Evangelization) 5. fostering not only conversion of hearts, but people power for transformation of society 6. evangelized and evangelizing, missionary

The Basic Ecclesial Community [ B.E.C. in singular] To be Church :

D. Community life of people/persons 1. in families happily united 2. sharing goods and goodness 3. reconciling minds and heart 4. giving absolute respect to every person especially the marginalized poor 5. dining and praying together in celebration of community, living together in meals and celebrating climaxed by the Eucharist.

Basic Ecclesial Communities (plural) the key to transform the Church to a new model small communities that are also communities of the small [ in status, the marginalized poor]:
The old (parish or traditional model): with that method of evangelization 1. a big parish with thousands of members hardly knowing one another, 2. elitist the haves, the schooled, those in authority dominate Church activities, 3. clerical: bishops, priests and religious rule the Church structures and policies, 4. cultic: worship, pious devotions and correct doctrine are the primary concerns, 5. keeping the poor as recipient of charity but not agents of change 6. poor are not formed to evangelize with most of them actually left out in parish priorities.

What are Basic Ecclesial Communities [ B.E.C.s plural, many B.E.C. Cells]?Basic Ecclesial Communities (in plural) are the key to transform the Church to a new model small communities that are also communities of the small.

These are SMALL CARING GROUPS, small communities and communities of the small; ecclesial: 1. Of three types: 6 to 9 families in the same neighborhood or in sectoral groupings groups in barrio chapels as B.E.C. cells, - human, Christian, Catholic 2. In dialogue with those in authority and power, and in cooperation with other religions 3. Growing as A.Praying groups B. in works of development C. seeking reforms in society. 4. Are in the never-ending process of becoming a Church with a renewed life and mission.

Important Notes on the Traditional Approach to Evangelization

The emergence of these B.E.C.s in a parish will gradually transform the parish from the old to the new (renewed) model of being Church. Model: a new way and method of being evangelized, and evangelizing this contemporary society in the Philippines and Asia today to a civilization of life and love, a sign of the in-breaking of the Fathers Kingdom. The traditional (xyz) model is not a bad model but is now less effective for evangelization because society is changed: the main concern today is not to fight Protestants on the creed, code and cult of religion, but with them and with all people of good will to promote faith with justice for human dignity in