The Basic Ecclesial
Community
Rediscovering A New Way of
Becoming a Church
The Basic Ecclesial Community is
defined as « a new way of being a
Church ».
The BEC according to PCP
II
It is a
small faith community of
Christians,
gathered together around
the Word of God and
the Eucharist,
striving to integrate their
faith in their daily life,
life
in solidarity with one
another, action for
justice,
justice
and a vibrant celebration of
life in the liturgy.
liturgy
(PCP II 138-139)
Anthropological and
Sociological
Background
Filipinos are
naturally known as:
Person-oriented
Relational
Community-oriented
Spirit-oriented
A General View on
the Human Person
The Subject ( I )
The Horizontal
(I + You = We)
The Vertical
(We & God)
The word « being »
means…
not something
static but
dynamic.
not abstract but
concrete.
not a finished
product but a
process of
becoming.
not dead but
living.
We are the Church!
Underlying Key Points:
The Human Person
The Community
The Triune God
Theological-Biblical
Foundations on the BEC
Acts 2:41-47
Acts 2: 41-47
So those who received his word were baptized, and
there were added that day 3,000 souls. And they
devoted themselves to the apostles’ teachings
and fellowship, to the breaking of the bread and
the prayers. And fear came upon every soul; and
many wonders and signs were done through the
apostles. And all who believed were together and
had all things in common; and they sold their
possessions and goods and distributed them to
all, as any had needed. And day by day, attending
the temple together and breaking the bread in
their homes, they partook of food with glad and
generous hearts, praising God and having favour
with all the people.
The BEC, as part of the Church,
share in the 3-fold functions of
Jesus
Prophet
Priest
King
PROPHET
they devoted
themselves to
the apostles’
teachings
Kerygma
Deepening of
their Christian
Faith
(Catechesis)
PRIEST
fellowship, the
breaking of the
bread and the
prayers attending
the temple
together and
breaking the
bread in their
homes
Leitourgia
Prayer and
Worship
Celebration of the
Sacraments
KING
And all who believed
were together and
had all things in
common; and they
sold their possessions
and goods and
distributed them to
all, as any had needed
they partook of food
with glad and
generous hearts,
praising God
Diakonia
Service: Faith that
Does Justice
Characteristics of a BEC:
A Human Community
Small in number
A Christian Community
Unity in the midst of diversity
Witnessing the Gospel and the
Kingdom of God (God’s Presence)
Conclusion:
A BEC:
Learns
Lives
Loves
In the Spirit of
Jesus