Caceres Vicariates conduct BEC Orientation

The BEC formation team conducts orientation seminar to St Bartholomew and St Raphael Vicariates on May 21, 2019

In 1991, the Second Plenary Council of the Philippines (PCP II) adopted the formation of Basic Ecclesial Communities (BEC) as a pastoral priority for the Church in the Philippines. It also provided a vision of BECs. BECs can now be found in almost all dioceses in the Philippines (but not yet in all the parishes). The number of dioceses that have adopted the formation of BECs as a pastoral priority has increased through the years. There are many dioceses where BECs are becoming the basic pastoral unit of the parishes which is seen as a network of BECs.

The Archdiocese of Caceres with a hope of strengthening her pastoral ministry to the flock especially to those in peripheries, focuses on fully implementing the BEC program in all its 92 parishes. Fr Emmanuel Mojica, the BEC Director of Caceres, is going around the vicariates to conduct orientation among the priests. Fr Mojica said, the formation of BECs is regarded as the pastoral thrust of the whole archdiocese rather than just the initiative of the parish priest or some external pastoral agency. In many dioceses, the various diocesan commissions (liturgy, catechetics, social action, youth, family & life) are geared towards the formation of BECs. The BECs are becoming the basic pastoral unit of the parish which is seen as a network of BECs. The rate of growth and expansion is not uniform. In many parishes and dioceses that have just started there are only pilot areas that are still to be replicated. In other dioceses, they are already part of the structure of the diocese and parishes.

PCP II further describes the BECs as: “small communities of Christian usually of families who gather around the Word of God & the Eucharist.These communities are united to their pastors but are ministered to regularly by lay leaders. The members know each other by name and share not only the Word of God and the Eucharist but also their concerns both material and spiritual. They have a strong sense of belongingness and responsibility for one another. (PCP II 138).