THE PRIEST AND THE BECs: CHALLENGES AND EXPECTATIONS

Since PCP II the movement of Basic Ecclesial Communities had been a pastoral priority throughout the country. It has also been a part of the seminary pastoral exposures. Yet seminarians would attest to the fact the BEC cells are not stable. In places where seminarians are assigned, it is true to our experience that members of the seldas could only gather regularly when there are seminarians. When seminarians no longer visit them, the bible sharing sessions would gradually die out. For many years now since the BEC seldas were organized, we do not see its effectiveness as expected.
Some strategies of organizing had been applied. According to our speaker different approaches had been employed in the rural and urban areas respectively. In the rural setting liturgical activities are conducted to organize the seldas in a consultative and participative way. On the other hand, in the urban areas sectoral approaches had been done which includes interests on issues associated with the group. Despite the considerable length of time and efforts to organize the seldas, there is no substantial development as regards to becoming a real basic ecclesial community. What could have been the factors affecting such situation?
There are indicators that would somehow be the basis for judging that a selda is growing. First would be the participation of the members. If members are participative, they might have developed deep concern for their small community. This could be identified as the ad-intra movement of concern. As such a small group matures, it would start to act outwardly as an effect the love growing within. The ad-extra movement would make the BECs as service-oriented communities. The group might engage in livelihood projects. Yet a backlash might be experienced when the members are enticed to enrich their own selves instead of working for the benefit of the whole community.
One of the many obstacles of BECs cited by the speaker, is the parish priest who had no interest on endorsing the BEC. Perhaps such priests don’t see the relevance of the form of BEC that is to be implemented. On the other hand the interest of the people should also be considered. But most importantly everything depends on the movement of the Holy Spirit. Observations are being laid that mostly the movement to organize BECs seems to be a failure. Thus, there is a need to evaluate and re-evaluate. And the most important aspect to be considered is the presence of God in the community alongside with the role of the priest.
One of the roles of the ordained ministry is that of pastoral leadership over the Christian community – the parish community and the network of small Christian communities (BECs) within the parish. The priest is a builder not only of the church made of marble, but of the living Church, the Christian community. Following the image of the Good Shepherd, he does not only build the community, but presides over the community and leads it. Thus, he has to become closer to his flock.
The priest has a vital role in animating and supporting the lay people in his parish to build and develop the BECs. It is his responsibility to ensure the formation of lay leaders that will help minister to these communities. The priest, in collaboration with lay people and under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, is the primary agent of evangelization which is considered as an essential part in building up the BECs.
Vatican II and PCP II remind us that the ministerial priesthood enables the people of God to actualize its common priesthood. The task of the priest as leader of the priestly community is to foster full and active participation in the liturgical celebration. He forms the community into a truly worshipping and celebrating community.
Thus, the exercise of the sacramental/liturgical ministry must be done in the context of the community. The priest has to make sure that the liturgy is celebrated not among strangers but by a genuine community whose members know each other, care for each other and are in communion with each other. This is concretized in BECs that are truly worshipping, priestly communities.
In exercising his sacramental/liturgical ministry, it is not enough that the priest administer the sacraments at the parish church. He has to go out more often to the barrios and neighborhood communities and celebrate the Eucharist with the BECs more frequently. He must also train lay liturgical leaders for each BEC so that these communities can continue to worship and celebrate even in the absence of the priest.
The priest cannot remain indifferent to the situation of the people he is called to serve. His pastoral ministry involves animating his parish community and the BECs to address the problems that they face – especially poverty, underdevelopment, armed conflict and the destruction of the environment. He should encourage and support the BECs to work for justice, peace, development and the integrity of creation and thus help transform society.
The priest is called to live a simple lifestyle and make a preferential option for the poor. Like Christ, he must bring the good news to the poor and help empower them so that the Church can truly become the Church of the Poor.Thus, the journey toward a new way of being Church requires the priest to view himself not as the king or Lord of his parish but the servant-leader of the parish community and the BECs. This is a journey that starts from within but moves out to a horizon that is at times familiar and encouraging but at other times unpredictable even hostile. In whatever situation our faith beckons us to make our hearts…as our compass; to risk loving the Church…her life…her mission…not in our terms but in the power and measure of His Love!