On May 7, 2012, the diocese of Boac celebrated the 30th anniversary of the formation and growth of BECs – locally referred to as BPK (Batayang Pamayanang Kristiano). Members, leaders, organizers and pastoral workers of BECs together with their parish priests from all the parishes in the diocese gathered at the Marinduque National High School.

At 6:30 in the morning, the members of the BECs started the parade led by various marching bands. This was followed by the mass at 8 am , presided by Bishop Rey Evangelista, concelebrated by 30 priests.

After the mass, the program started with the opening remarks by Fr. Elino Esplana – rector of the Cathedral. This was followed by the welcome address by the mayor of Boac, Hon. Bert Madla. Then Msgr. Rolando Oliverio gave a talk on historical overview of the development of BECs in the diocese. Fr. Allan Malapad gave a comprehensive report of the current state of the BECs in the diocese. This was followed by creative presentation and sharing of experiences of BECs representing 3 vicariates (Sta. Cruz, Boac and Gasan).

There were two guest speakers: Mr. Virgilio Esguerra (Integrated Development Initiative, Inc) and Fr. Amado Picardal, CSsR (Executive Secretary, CBCP-BEC Committee).

In between talks, there were several intermission numbers from the BECs and the clergy. After the agape lunch, the presentation of recognition/awards followed. Then, one of the most awaited part – the raffle draw. The program ended by 3 pm, with Bishop Evangelista giving his final address and blessing.

On May 5, 2012, the San Narciso Parish of Consolacio, Cebu held the first Parish BEC Congress at the Consolacion Covered Court. BEC members and leaders from the five zones of the parish attended the whole-day event which was graced by Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma who presided at the 9 am Pontifical Mass. The team of pastors concelebrated: Fr. Arnulfo Rendon (moderator), Fr. Ditdit Lape, Fr. Paul Tunacao, Fr. Ben Ejares, Fr. Soc Cabanig. The CBCP-BEC executive secretary, Fr. Amado Picardal, was also present. He gave the keynote address during the Congress proper which started after lunch.

The Congress proper which started after lunch opened with words of welcome from the PPC president, Ms. Teresita Pitogo. After the acknowledgment of participants, Fr. Ditdit Lape talked about the purpose fo the congress. This was followed by the sharing of testimonies by representatives of the five zones. After the intermission number presented by Zone 2, Fr. Picardal delivered the keynote address, which was then followed by an open forum. Later, the special awards were presented to the parish BEC formators’ team. After several participants shared thier impressions, the Congress ended with the “challenge” presented by Fr. Arnulfo Rendon.

1. Levelling-off of BECs in all parishes in the
Diocese;

2. To come up with recommendations to foster and
enhance BECs in the Diocese

At 9 am, the Forum started with an opening liturgy and welcome address of Fr. Rudy Abao MSC – the diocesan BEC priest-ministery. This was followed by an inspirational talk delivered by Bishop Iniguez. Then Fr. Amado Picardal of the CBCP-BEC committee gave a presentation on “Developing BECs in Urban setting.

After the merienda break, a plenary discussion was held. These were the guide Questions :

1. What are your hopes and fears in establishing BECs  in your parish?

2. What are the challenges and immediate priorities with regards to achieving the No. 5 Priority of the Diocesan Pastoral  Plan?

3.  What are your recommendations?

By 11:45 am, the forum ended with the final message and blessing by Bishop Iniguez.

My task this morning is to trace the history of the development of BECs in Northern Luzon. With your kind permission may I just paint in bold strokes the colorful history of our attempts to build BECs in Northern Luzon. My sketch will be simple, even perhaps simplistic, concerned with the “big picture” rather with details.

I am sure there were many attempts by individual pastors and even dioceses to promote a more participatory and co-responsible Church, a Church of Communion & Solidarity inspired no less by the teachings of Vatican II.  The promotion of Basic Christian Communities with its community organizing component was very much alive during the Marcos years not only in Mindanao but also in some parts of Northern Luzon. It has produced its own heroes and martyrs.  To them we owe a debt of gratitude for laying the grounds for a region wide pastoral collaboration.

Having said that, may I just begin my historical sketch with the holding of a Northern Luzon Pastoral Forum since we are meeting today as a Northern Luzon Church. I shall be quoting verbatim from the documents of the Northern Luzon Pastoral Forum.

As early as 1988, the Bishops of Northern Luzon, through their periodic meetings have been laying the grounds for a possible Northern Luzon Pastoral gathering.  Discerning the enormous pastoral challenges that confront them they realized that the realities and concerns went beyond the confines of their individual dioceses. And therefore, the appropriate pastoral response can only be done in solidarity.  This undeniable fact was in the minds of the bishops when they conceived the idea of coming and working together as the Church of Northern Luzon. The idea gained more support and encouragement with the convocation of the Second Plenary Council of the Philippines in Manila in 1991.

Taking their cue from PCP II, the Northern Luzon Bishops finally decided to hold the pastoral conference in 1995 on the occasion of the 4oo^th anniversary of the Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia. However, it was postponed to 1996 since not all the dioceses would have completed their diocesan level pastoral assemblies and  synods. Preparing the members of the dioceses for a region-wide pastoral consultation was necessary for a more fruitful and effective participation.

The first Northern Luzon Pastoral Forum (NLPF –I) was held on September 23-27 1996 at San Pablo Seminary, Baguio City. The Theme was “Becoming Church of Northern Luzon in the light of PCP II”  with the following objectives:  1) to discern our present situation as Church in Northern Luzon 2) To envision a new way of being Church of Northern Luzon and 3)to set up common pastoral directions and possible collaborative pastoral strategies. NLPF I articulated the renewed Vision of the Church as a response to the pastoral situation obtaining in Northern Luzon.

This vision is characterized as a Church of Communion in the face of individualism, a Church of co-responsibility and participation in the face of a culture of silence and dependency, powerlessness and voicelessness and as a Church of the Poor in the face of massive and dehumanizing poverty.  These characteristics of the vision are summarized as a Church of Solidarity.

The vision of a Church of Solidarity can be fully concretized in the BECs.  Thus, the NLPF1 adopted the building of BECS as its pastoral thrust. “We believe that the
vision of a new way of being Church is concretely expressed in the Basic
Ecclesial Community (BEC) that grassroot small community of believers who
gather to pray, to hear and share the Word of God, discerning in the light of
faith and acting together impelled by faith and love through the promptings of
the Spirit, moving us to transform this world.  This is why we in Northern Luzon are convinced that building BECs must be our pastoral thrust.”

During the NLPF I, the late Bishop Francisco Claver, SJ
described BECs as:

a)  A community of believers – what brings people as a community is their faith – not because of their ideology.

b) Which meets regularly

c) Usually under lay leadership

d)   To express their faith in common worship

e)  To discern in faith on their life’s problems and opportunities

f)  To act collectively in faith on those same problems and opportunities.  They do not simply talk and pray about their problems but they do something about it

g) In community, as community.

In short, a BEC is a community of believers that tries to integrate life and faith under the guidance of the Holy Spirit in a participatory way.

To facilitate the building of BECs as a pastoral thrust, the NLPF I recommended that a Northern Luzon Desk for BECs be established as a regional venue for sharing of experiences and efforts on BEC building, for preparing modules of formation and training of BEC trainors according to the Asian Integral Pastoral Approach (ASIPA) as endorsed by the Federation of Asian Bishops Conference (FABC) The Northern Luzon BEC desk serves also as the information and communitication center for BEC in the region.  It is further recommended that a Northern
Luzon Pastoral Leadership Training Center be set up for the training of
trainors charged with the formation of renewed pastoral leaders, oriented to
the vision and thrust of the Northern Luzon Church. With these recommendations
the NL BEC-LLT was established as a Commission.

In response to the surfaced needs of the dioceses, the NL BEC-LLT, has developed a process and structure of sharing and a formation program in order to facilitate the realization of the pastoral thrust of building BECs in Northern Luzon.

1.  Structures of sharing:

1. The NL BEC-LLT secretariat. The secretariat coordinates the
   regional and sub-regional BEC exchanges. These exchanges provide a venue of sharing experiences and efforts on BEC building.  It also assists the
   diocesan BEC animators in their formational and training needs.  The NL BEC-LLT Secretariat likewise prepares formation and training modules and serves as the communication center for BEC.
2. The NL BEC-LLT Steering Committee.The NL BEC-LLT steering committee
   is composed of sub-regional BEC coordinators/directors and the
   secretariat.  It is tasked to:

Facilitate the regular Regional BEC exchange

Coordinate formational and training activities

provide for the proper direction of BEC implementation
The steering committee also meets regularly (quarterly, after the regional BEC exchange) to evaluate the previous Exchange and plan for the next Exchange.

C. REGIONAL EXCHANGES

Diocesan BEC Coordinators, leaders/staffs meet quarterly for the Regional BEC Exchange.  This regional exchange is an assembly wherein sharing of experiences related to the BEC efforts are made.  Sharing of and listening to experiences has
affirmed and corrected BEC building efforts undergone by the different dioceses.  This process promotes community building.  The NL BEC-LLT maintains its intention to enhance and develop closer relationships among BEC animators through fellowship and community building activities.  It also provides a venue of discovering the WHY, WHAT, and HOW of BEC building.

Difficulties and problems related to the BEC building are also brought out in the Regional BEC Exchange.  The assembly discerns these difficulties and problems in order to come up with appropriate responses.

D. SUB-REGIONAL EXCHANGES

The Northern Luzon region is clustered into four (4) sub-regions namely, Pangasinan, Cagayan Valley, Cordillera and Ilocos.  These sub-regional groupings aim at establishing a network among the neighboring dioceses which have more or less the same cultural background and situation.  These four BEC sub-regions
meet quarterly for sharing of experiences and resources such as formation and
training materials.  It also provides the dioceses the opportunity to discover, understand and respect the unique culture and situation of each diocese as the basis or framework of BEC fostering.

Through the years, the NL BEC-LLT has developed formation and training modules based on the shared experiences, culture and situation of each diocese.
Furthermore, dioceses have discovered and have gradually developed the
more appropriate and more focused phases and concrete steps of BEC building.  At present, most dioceses have their own BEC Coordinators.

Fr. Amado L. Picardal, CSsR, STD must be talking about our BEC experiences when he identified some problems and concerns that have emerged in the course of promoting and forming BECs.

Problems and Concerns

1.  Sustainability.

Many BECs that have been formed could not be sustained, especially when the parish priests who initiated them were transferred and those who took their place were not supportive. This was also the case, when external pastoral agents who helped form BECs were gone. Some BECs have a ningas cogon mentality. The members were very enthusiastic at the start but they lost interest after a while.

2. Attendance and participation.

There are BECs, where only a few actively participate in the ongoing activities (e.g. the weekly bible-service and bible-sharing). Most of those who attend are women. The men and young people are seldom seen. Attendance and participation may increase during community masses and during fiesta, Christmas and Holy Week.

3. Leadership.

Some BECs have leaders who are incompetent and lacking in commitment. Others have leaders who are very authoritarian and dictatorial. Some are acting like “pari-pari” or little-priests, falling into a new form of clericalism of lay leaders. The leaders lack team-work. Many don’t go out of their way to reach out to the members and to encourage them. Others resort to policies and sanctions to assert their authority.

4. Relations with Lay Organizations, Movements and Associations (LOMAS).

In many cases the relationship between BECs and lay organizations, movements and associations (LOMAs) tend to be problematic. Some members of LOMAs regard BECs as just another organization and because of this there is no need to participate in the BECs since they already belong to an organization. Others claim that their organizations can be considered as BECs — so again there is no need to be members of the BECs in their neighborhood or village. In some cases, members of BECs who become members of LOMAs stop participating in their BECs. Consequently, a spirit of antagonism and competition prevails between BECs and LOMAs.

5. Responding to Social Concerns and Issues.

Many BECs remain inward-looking communities that lack social concern. Their activities revolve around bible-sharing and liturgical celebrations. They do not respond to social problems and issues that they face – e.g. poverty, hunger, criminality, injustice, armed conflict, the destruction of the environment, etc. These BECs feel helpless in the midst of poverty and armed conflict. They are either incapable of addressing these concerns or they think that BECs should only focus on spiritual concerns.

6. Understanding the vision and nature of BECs.

Many practitioners and members of BECs do not have an adequate understanding of the vision and nature of BECs. There are many who associate BECs exclusively with the small group or cell, composed of six to ten members, who gather weekly to reflect on the word of God.  The BEC becomes just an activity (bible-reflection) or that small exclusive group. With this understanding of BECs, any small group can be considered as BECs – the small cells in the neighborhood, inside the classrooms, within the seminary, a small prayer group (SPG) or the CFC household unit. The focus is on the smallness, rather than community dynamics and ecclesiality.

Most of these problems and concerns are interrelated. The problems of sustainability and poor participation in BECs may be the result of problematic leadership, the use of coercive policies and sanctions, problematic relationship with LOMAs, failure to respond to social concerns and inadequate understanding of the vision and nature of BECs.
Lessons learned from our BEC experiences:

1.  The BEC needs to be contextualized.  It has to be anchored on the life situation of the people. Vatican II puts beautifully:  “the joys and hopes, the pains and anxieties of the men of this age, especially those who are poor … are the joys and hopes, the pains and anxieties of the followers of Christ.  Hence, the Church cannot live in splendid isolation oblivious of what is happening around her. “To proclaim The Good News of Jesus is to do so in the total context of Northern Luzon, its peoples and cultures.” (NLPF I) Thus the need for a Christian social analysis.

2.  The NLPF Vision of a Church of Communion, Participation, Co-responsibility and of the Poor needs to be clearly understood by all: from the Bishop, priests, lay collaborators and the parishioners at large.  Thus the need for leveling –off and awareness raising.

3.  The Vision needs to be translated into a comprehensive pastoral program. The NL BEC-LLT has developed as a fruit of our experiences a pastoral framework, clearly identifying the different stages of Introducing, sustaining, deepening and
mobilizing BECs, complete with strategies and accompanying formation sessions
every step of the way.

4.  The BEC needs to become a way of life for the whole parish.
The BEC is not just another organization or a pastoral program.  We need to learn new ways of behaving, relating to another, learning (in a participatory way) even praying.

5.  The BEC needs to be missionary and prophetic.  It does not only address the needs and concerns within the community but takes into consideration the wider context of the world.
There are bigger and wider issues that need to be addressed.  Hence. the need for networking and linkages with other BECs, parishes, NGOs, other faiths and denominations.

6. The New way of being Church needs a new way of leading.
We the leaders need a lot of dying to self to animate and guide the people’s
journey to fullness of life. We need to learn the way of servant-leadership.

Conclusion:

We have come a long way in vigorously promoting BECs as a new way of being Church.  What is needed is a new awareness that we are a Church of Solidarity that responds concretely to the problems and concerns of our people as we struggle to integrate faith and life. We, the lay leaders, priests and bishops need to exercise a new way of leadership so that the gifts and charisms that the Holy Spirit has liberally showered our people with, will be tapped, developed and coordinated for the building up of the Body of Christ. We place our hopes and dreams at Mary’s feet
who was in midst of the apostles at Pentecost so that with her intercession our
pastoral efforts we will be blessed with success by her Son Jesus who said that
“unless He builds the house, in vain do workers labor.”

The following dioceses were represented: Alaminos, Lingayen-Dagupan, Urdaneta, Vigan, Laoag, Tuguegarao, Bayombong, Ilagan, Baguio, Bontoc-Lagawe, Bangued and Tabuk.

There were 5 bishops who attended the gathering: Bishop Rodolfo Beltran (Bontoc-Lagawe), Archbishop Ernesto Salgado (Vigan), Archbishop Sergio Utleg (Tuguegarao),  Bishop Ruben Mayugba (Lingayen-Dagupan) and Bishop Nacua (Ilagan).

There were 23 priests who attended and six religious sisters. The rest wereBEC lay animators and leaders.

The CBCP-BEC committee was represented by Fr. Amado Picardal, CSsR (executive secretary)

On the first day, February 28, the delegates began arriving from their respective dioceses at 2 pm. At 4 pm, they were welcomed by Archbishop Salgado and Fr. Albert Rabe – parish priest of Sinait and diocesan BEC director.

After the opening liturgy, the delegates were brought to their host families and after supper joined the Gospel sharing in the host BECs where they were billeted.

The following day (Feb. 29), after breakfast, the delegates went back to the parish center. At 8 am the Eucharist was celebrated, presided by Bishop Rodolfo Beltran and concelebrated by the other four bishops and over 20 priests.

The delegates gathered at the parish center at 9:15 where Msgr. Gerry Perez gave a presentation on the Northern Luzon BEC Development.

After the presentation, the sub-regional workshop followed: Ilocos sub-region, Cagayan Valley sub-region, Pangasinan sub-region, Cordillera sub-region.

The workshops shared on the following questions:

a. What is the situational landscape of your diocese as context of mission?

b. What BECs has emerged in response to the mission context?

c. What were the gains in promoting BECs?

d. What pains, difficulties and failures in promoting BEC?

e.  What steps to take to promote BEC in your diocese?

After the workshop, reporting followed from 11:30 – 12:15 pm. Then Bishop Beltran presented his concluding remarks: Implications of the continuing journey of mission with base communities. The assembly ended with table-fellowship by sub-region.

From 1:30 to 3:00 pm, the diocesan BEC directors and the bishops held the director’s meeting.

By 4 pm the delegated journeyed home.

This meeting was held during the annual assembly of the Diocesan Clergy of Mindanao scheduled on February 13-15, 2012. The CBCP-BEC committee was represented in the meeting by Bishop George Rimando (chairman) and Fr. Amado Picardal, CSsR (executive secretary). Cagayan de Oro Archbishop Antonio Ledesma was also present.

the agenda that the meeting tackled:

1. Review of the National Gathering of Diocesan BEC directors and the initial plan for Mindanao drafted during the gathering (c/o Fr. Picardal)

2. Sharing of situationer and recent development of BEC program in respective dioceses

3. Presentation of the tools for BEC assessment

Fr. Lando Tabusara presented a tool based on Appreciative Inquiry. Many supported this as a basis for getting best practices of BEC formation and development. However, the need for a  data-base and profile for each BEC, parish and diocesan levels was also expressed. Fr. Picardal was asked to send to the BEC directors the tools for BEC profiling that will supplement the Appreciative Inquiry tool. The diocesan BEC directors will be initiating the process of BEC profiling and assessment in the parishes within their respective dioceses. This will be part of the preparation for the sub-regional/regional BEC assemblies in the near future.

4. Regular Schedule of Mindanao Diocesan BEC Directors’ Meeting

It was decided to have a regular meeting twice a year. The first will be during the Diocesan Clergy of Mindanao assembly which is usually held during the second week of February (this will be a shorter meeting). The second will be during the last week of June – which will be longer (2 days).

The next meeting will be held on June 26-27, 2012 in Davao City which will be hosted by the archdiocese of Davao (c/o Fr. Pete Lamata – Mindanao point person).

The BEC directors are asked to prepare the following: schedule of of sub-regional gatheringof BEC directors with their bishops, profile of BEC state of affairs, pulse of
clergy attitude towards BECs.

                The theme chosen for this gathering was: “Saradit na Kristianong Komunidad padagos sa paglakbay na nagsisimbag sa pangapodan na magin mga tunay na Kristianong Disipulo”

  (Basic Ecclesial Communities continue to journey in response to the call to become authentic Christian disciples)   

                The delegates riding on trucks, jeepneys and cars  began the motorcade/caravan at seven in the morning from Sorsogon City and reached Pilar by 9:30 am. The caravan symbolized the BECs of Sorsogon journeying together, led by Bishop Arturo Bastes, SVD and the parish priests from 28 parishes. Upon reaching the entrance of the town, the delegates alighted from their vehicles and processed to the parish church led by several local marching bands. They were welcomed by the parishioners along the way.

                 The mass was celebrated in the newly renovated parish church with tents set up around the church for the delegates who could not be accommodated inside. Over 30 priests concelebrated a t the mass presided by the bishop.   After the mass lunch/agape followed.  The BEC delegates where grouped according to vicariates and they held exhibits containing pictures  of their activities and products of their  livelihood projects.

                 The program started after lunch at 12:30 with a welcome address of the vice-Mayor of the town. This was followed by several presentations from the vicariates. The presentations of the various BECs from the four vicariates of Sorsogon highlighted the life and experiences of the BECs in the diocese. The drama and songs showed how the BECs transformed the lives of the people in the community.  These also expressed their efforts to evangelize the communities, initiate projects in sustainable agriculture, their concern for the environment and their opposition to mining and the geothermal explorations.

          In his inspirational talk entitled “The Challenge  for the BECs  in Sorsogon”, Fr. Picardal emphasized the need to sustain and expand their efforts in four areas: poverty alleviation, environmental protection, good governance and peace advocacy. 

         In his message to the delegates, Bishop Arturo Bastes told the delegates that their striving for holiness gives them courage to continue their journey. He reiterated his support in their efforts to build up the BECs and in their efforts to address the various social issues that they face.

        Msgr. Rene gave a status report on the BEC program in the diocese.  Fr. Sabi Fulo, the parish priest of Pilar gave the closing message.

        By 3:30 pm, the delegates were in their way home.

 The first part of the meeting was a reporting of the state of the BECs in the respective dioceses. This was followed by a discussion and planning on regional networking/cooperation and the regional assembly.

 How we can have Regional Networking & Cooperation

 Regular meeting (twice a year – Jan & Aug, 3^rd wed-thurs)

Exposure   (during meetings, case-to-case basis, organized exposure)

Exchange program of pastoral workers  (same as above, training & updating)

Sharing of BEC materials (share & send to each diocese by LBC)

Use of technology for   Social networking site (Facebook)

Regional Assembly (wider participation, formation & information, serve as bonding for BEC pastoral workers

 Regional Assembly

 When/where: April 2013 (after Easter) in Calapan, Mindoro

Who will attend: diocesan formation teams,

Key issues: leveling off – common understanding of BECs (role in the Church),  sharing of approaches, to show the value/importance of BECs to the region, BECs as the answer of the situation to the Church in the Philippines. (local resources).

Preparation for the Assembly will be discussed during the next  regular meetings of the region’s BEC directors in August 2012 and January 2013.