The Ordained The Ordained MinistryMinistry

vis-à-vis BECsvis-à-vis BECs

Fr. Amado L. Picardal, CSsR, Fr. Amado L. Picardal, CSsR, STDSTD

Is the formation of BECs really a Is the formation of BECs really a constitutive dimension of ministry constitutive dimension of ministry of the ordained?of the ordained?

How can the priestly ministry be How can the priestly ministry be understood and exercised in understood and exercised in relation to the BECs?relation to the BECs?

What is the role of the ordained What is the role of the ordained priest vis-à-vis the BECs?priest vis-à-vis the BECs?

VisionVision

A A renewed community of believersrenewed community of believers

fully fully knowing, loving knowing, loving andand serving serving ChristChrist,,

proclaiming the good newsproclaiming the good news

and actively and actively participatingparticipating in the in the building of a society of justice, building of a society of justice, peace and lovepeace and love

MissionMission““We, the We, the servant-leadersservant-leaders of the of the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro, in Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro, in collaboration with and in collaboration with and in participation of the fullness of the participation of the fullness of the Bishop's priesthood, and Bishop's priesthood, and making our making our own the call of the Plenary Council of own the call of the Plenary Council of the Philippines II for renewal and the Philippines II for renewal and transformationtransformation, commit ourselves:, commit ourselves:to live a life that is rooted in Christ;to live a life that is rooted in Christ;to live the life of evangelical poverty, to live the life of evangelical poverty, celibacy and apostolic obedience;celibacy and apostolic obedience;

to serve as to serve as pastoral leaderspastoral leaders with the with the compassion and humility of the compassion and humility of the Good Good Shepherd;Shepherd;to to celebrate the Eucharistcelebrate the Eucharist as authentic as authentic presiders and to presiders and to proclaim the Word proclaim the Word crediblycredibly;;to live as brothers respecting each one's to live as brothers respecting each one's freedom and freedom and fostering a sense of belongingfostering a sense of belonging;;to beto be in the midst of our people, to know in the midst of our people, to know their plights, anguishes, hopes and their plights, anguishes, hopes and aspirationsaspirations;;to be imbued withto be imbued with deep love of preference deep love of preference for the poor, defending and vindicating for the poor, defending and vindicating their rightstheir rights;;to nurture a filial devotion of Mary, the to nurture a filial devotion of Mary, the Mother of Jesus and our MotherMother of Jesus and our Mother

If our understanding of the priesthood is If our understanding of the priesthood is exclusively “cultic,” exclusively “cultic,” forming BECs is not forming BECs is not part of our ministry.part of our ministry.Our only duty is to say mass and Our only duty is to say mass and administer the sacraments and respond to administer the sacraments and respond to the spiritual needs of the faithful.the spiritual needs of the faithful.

If our understanding of our ministry has no If our understanding of our ministry has no communitarian dimension, then forming communitarian dimension, then forming BECs is not part of our responsibility.BECs is not part of our responsibility.Our role is purely administrativeOur role is purely administrativeOur concern will primarily be the Our concern will primarily be the maintenance and management of the maintenance and management of the parish, building beautiful churches, parish, building beautiful churches, rectories and parish centers, rectories and parish centers, raising parish income.raising parish income.

But the understanding of ministry since But the understanding of ministry since Vatican II and PCP II is broader than that.Vatican II and PCP II is broader than that.

The vision of a renewed Church in Vatican II The vision of a renewed Church in Vatican II and PCP II has broadened the understanding and PCP II has broadened the understanding of the life and ministry of the ordained:of the life and ministry of the ordained:Church as communion and Church as communion and as people of God participating in Christ’s as people of God participating in Christ’s mission mission as a priestly, prophetic and kingly people as a priestly, prophetic and kingly people as a Church of the Pooras a Church of the Poor

The Vatican II & PCP II theology of ministry The Vatican II & PCP II theology of ministry is based on this ecclesiological framework.is based on this ecclesiological framework.

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Vatican II: Vatican II: Lumen Lumen Gentium Gentium 2828

““By virtue of the sacrament of Orders, By virtue of the sacrament of Orders,

they are consecrated in the image of they are consecrated in the image of Christ, supreme and eternal priest Christ, supreme and eternal priest

to to preach the Gospelpreach the Gospel

and and shepherd the faithfulshepherd the faithful

as as well as to celebrate the divine well as to celebrate the divine worshipworship

as true priest of the New Testament.”as true priest of the New Testament.”

The three-fold office (Triplex Munus) of The three-fold office (Triplex Munus) of Christ is used as a framework for the Christ is used as a framework for the ordained ministryordained ministry

This provides a holistic framework for This provides a holistic framework for ministry:ministry:

prophetic ministry prophetic ministry

pastoral ministry pastoral ministry

liturgical/sacramental ministryliturgical/sacramental ministry The ministry of the ordained is always The ministry of the ordained is always

at the service of the people of God and at the service of the people of God and is to be lived in a communitarian is to be lived in a communitarian context. context.

““The priesthood is instituted within the The priesthood is instituted within the People of God for the sake of the People People of God for the sake of the People of God… Priests and their ministry of God… Priests and their ministry cannot therefore, be understood apart cannot therefore, be understood apart from this community setting.from this community setting.

The ordained priest does not stand The ordained priest does not stand outside the Christian community. He outside the Christian community. He remains in the community. He is remains in the community. He is ordained for the community.”ordained for the community.”

(PCP II 510)(PCP II 510)

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PCP II (no. 511-531, 558)PCP II (no. 511-531, 558)Priests are ordained to “preach, Priests are ordained to “preach,

sanctify and shepherd God’s people” sanctify and shepherd God’s people”

As representatives of Christ the Head As representatives of Christ the Head they are servant-leaders of thethey are servant-leaders of the

Priestly/worshipping communityPriestly/worshipping community Prophetic/evangelizing communityProphetic/evangelizing community Servant/ministering communityServant/ministering community

Constitutive Dimensions of Constitutive Dimensions of the Ordained Ministrythe Ordained Ministry

Pastoral MinistryPastoral Ministry - Ministry of Communion & - Ministry of Communion & Pastoral Leadership. Forming and Leading a Pastoral Leadership. Forming and Leading a genuine Christian Community (network of genuine Christian Community (network of SCCs/BECs)SCCs/BECs)

Prophetic MinistryProphetic Ministry – Ministry of the Word. – Ministry of the Word. Forming and leading the prophetic, evangelizing Forming and leading the prophetic, evangelizing and witnessing community. and witnessing community.

Liturgical/Sacramental MinistryLiturgical/Sacramental Ministry - presiding over - presiding over & actualizing the priestly/worshipping & actualizing the priestly/worshipping community.community.

Social Action/Service MinistrySocial Action/Service Ministry – organizing and – organizing and mobilizing the servant communitymobilizing the servant community

Ministry of Ministry of Communion & Communion &

Pastoral Pastoral LeadershipLeadership

““to serve as to serve as pastoral pastoral leadersleaders with the with the compassion and humility compassion and humility of the of the Good ShepherdGood Shepherd””

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““Fulfilling the role of Fulfilling the role of Christ the head and Christ the head and shepherd they shepherd they gather and gather and lead the family of God or lead the family of God or local community into one local community into one fellowshipfellowship.” .” ((Presbyterorum OrdinisPresbyterorum Ordinis 6) 6)

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Shepherding requires gathering and Shepherding requires gathering and forming the sheep into one flock, making forming the sheep into one flock, making each sheep feel and behave as a member each sheep feel and behave as a member of the flock.of the flock.

Pastoral Leadership involves not just Pastoral Leadership involves not just leading the Christian Community but also leading the Christian Community but also forming the community. Without genuine a forming the community. Without genuine a Christian community what is there to Christian community what is there to lead?lead?

The building up and strengthening of the The building up and strengthening of the Christian Community is a constitutive Christian Community is a constitutive dimension of the ordained/pastoral dimension of the ordained/pastoral ministry.ministry.

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““We priests have been consecrated in We priests have been consecrated in the Church for this specific ministry. the Church for this specific ministry. We are called in various ways to We are called in various ways to contribute, wherever Providence puts contribute, wherever Providence puts us, to the us, to the formation of the communityformation of the community of God’s people. Our task is to tend of God’s people. Our task is to tend the flock God entrusted to us” the flock God entrusted to us”

(John Paul II, quoted in (John Paul II, quoted in The Priest, Pastor The Priest, Pastor and Leader of the Parish Communityand Leader of the Parish Community 4. 4. Congregation for Clergy)Congregation for Clergy)

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PCP II: Forming & Leading PCP II: Forming & Leading the Christian Communitythe Christian Community

““Hence, we can appropriately call ordained Hence, we can appropriately call ordained ministers as servant-leaders of the ministers as servant-leaders of the community. They are in charge of the community. They are in charge of the community. community.

They are to build up the Christian community.They are to build up the Christian community.

Their task extends by right also to the Their task extends by right also to the formation of a genuine Christian communityformation of a genuine Christian community.”.”

(PCP II, 518)(PCP II, 518)

Ecclesiology of Communion & Ecclesiology of Communion & Ordained MinistryOrdained Ministry

The ecclesiology of communion becomes

decisive for understanding the

identity of the priest, his essential dignity, and his

vocation among the people of God (PDV 12) John Paul II

Pastores Dabo Vobis

The Servant of Communion The Servant of Communion (PDV) 16)(PDV) 16)

““The priest is “a servant of the Church The priest is “a servant of the Church as communion – because in union with as communion – because in union with the bishop and closely related to the the bishop and closely related to the presbyterium – he builds up the unity presbyterium – he builds up the unity of the Church community in the of the Church community in the harmony of diverse vocations, harmony of diverse vocations, charisms and services.”charisms and services.”

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The ordained ministry is at the service of The ordained ministry is at the service of the Christian communitythe Christian community

It is a ministry of pastoral leadership over It is a ministry of pastoral leadership over the Christian community – the parish the Christian community – the parish community & the network of BECs within community & the network of BECs within the parish.the parish.

It is a ministry of building up the unity It is a ministry of building up the unity and communion of the Christian and communion of the Christian community.community.

The priest is a builder not only of the The priest is a builder not only of the church made of marble, but of the living church made of marble, but of the living church, the Christian community.church, the Christian community.

Ministry of Pastoral Ministry of Pastoral Leadership:Leadership:

Promoting CommunionPromoting Communion

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The priest builds the unity of the The priest builds the unity of the Church community and promotes Church community and promotes communion (unity & solidarity) in the communion (unity & solidarity) in the Christian community. Christian community.

The priest is called to be a Good The priest is called to be a Good Shepherd, who knows his sheep & who Shepherd, who knows his sheep & who gathers them together as one flock.gathers them together as one flock.

He not only builds the community, he He not only builds the community, he also presides over the community & also presides over the community & leads it. Thus, he has to be close to his leads it. Thus, he has to be close to his flock.flock.

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The priest has a responsibility to help develop the The priest has a responsibility to help develop the sense of community & communion in the parish sense of community & communion in the parish level level

However, the large size of the parish makes it However, the large size of the parish makes it difficult to develop communion among the difficult to develop communion among the membersmembers

There is therefore a need to break up the parish There is therefore a need to break up the parish into smaller Christian communities. Thus, the need into smaller Christian communities. Thus, the need to build Basic Ecclesial Communities (BECs)to build Basic Ecclesial Communities (BECs)

The BEC is the locus of communion where the The BEC is the locus of communion where the members become one heart and mind (unity & members become one heart and mind (unity & friendship) and share their resources (community friendship) and share their resources (community of goods).of goods).

The concept stewardship and practice of modified The concept stewardship and practice of modified tithing is a concrete expression of communion of tithing is a concrete expression of communion of goods.goods.

The role of the priest is to promote this The role of the priest is to promote this communion within BECs and between BECscommunion within BECs and between BECs

Thus, the parish will be developed as the Thus, the parish will be developed as the network of BECs under the leadership of the network of BECs under the leadership of the priest.priest.

Communion requires that the BECs are Communion requires that the BECs are united to their priest (vice-versa) and the united to their priest (vice-versa) and the priest develop closer relationship with the priest develop closer relationship with the members of the BECs.members of the BECs.

The priest must also promote communion The priest must also promote communion among the members of LOMAS (lay among the members of LOMAS (lay organizations, movements and associations) organizations, movements and associations) and the BECs, and encourage their members and the BECs, and encourage their members to actively participate in their respective to actively participate in their respective BECs.BECs.

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The Church according to Vatican II & PCP II is The Church according to Vatican II & PCP II is called to be a participatory church. The BECs called to be a participatory church. The BECs are an expression of this participative nature of are an expression of this participative nature of the Church.the Church.

The priest must enable the lay faithful in the The priest must enable the lay faithful in the parish & the BECs to actively participate in the parish & the BECs to actively participate in the life & mission of the church.life & mission of the church.

He has to listen to them and encourage them to He has to listen to them and encourage them to participate in the process of decision-making, participate in the process of decision-making, planning & implementation (pastoral councils, planning & implementation (pastoral councils, parish assemblies).parish assemblies).

He should avoid an authoritarian and He should avoid an authoritarian and dictatorial style of leadership. The priest should dictatorial style of leadership. The priest should see himself not as king but the servant leader see himself not as king but the servant leader of the community and the BECs.of the community and the BECs.

This requires a more participative and This requires a more participative and collaborative style of leadershipcollaborative style of leadership

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What is the nature of the community What is the nature of the community that the priest seeks to form and that the priest seeks to form and lead?lead?

PCP II gives us an answer.PCP II gives us an answer. a Prophetic/Evangelizing communitya Prophetic/Evangelizing community a Worshipping/Eucharistic a Worshipping/Eucharistic

communitycommunity a ministering Servant communitya ministering Servant community

The Prophetic The Prophetic MinistryMinistry

““To proclaim the Word To proclaim the Word credibly”credibly”

The ordained ministry is a ministry of the WordThe ordained ministry is a ministry of the Word The priest preaches and teaches the Word of God The priest preaches and teaches the Word of God

and gives witness to it with his lifeand gives witness to it with his life The mission of renewed evangelization and The mission of renewed evangelization and

catechesis is a primary task of the ordained catechesis is a primary task of the ordained minister. minister.

Thus, a priest must see to it that a systematic Thus, a priest must see to it that a systematic program of evangelization & catechesis is in place.program of evangelization & catechesis is in place.

The ministry of the Word is geared towards the The ministry of the Word is geared towards the formation of a genuine Christian community/BECs formation of a genuine Christian community/BECs (PCP II 519)(PCP II 519)

It should lead to the growth of a truly prophetic It should lead to the growth of a truly prophetic and evangelizing community (and BECs) where and evangelizing community (and BECs) where the lay faithful actively participate in Christ’s the lay faithful actively participate in Christ’s prophetic mission.prophetic mission.

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Prophetic Community (PCP Prophetic Community (PCP II 525)II 525)

““The community over which the priest The community over which the priest presides is also a prophetic community. presides is also a prophetic community. The Word is announced by the priest to the The Word is announced by the priest to the people not only so that they may themselves people not only so that they may themselves have life or may be built into a community of have life or may be built into a community of believers,believers, but in order that they may in turn become but in order that they may in turn become witnesses to the Word that they have believed. witnesses to the Word that they have believed. People shall have truly grown in their faith People shall have truly grown in their faith when they emerge as announcers of the Word. when they emerge as announcers of the Word. Through the servant-leadership of the priest, Through the servant-leadership of the priest, the people of God are inspired and formed into the people of God are inspired and formed into an evangelizing and prophetic community.”an evangelizing and prophetic community.”

The prophetic ministry requires that the The prophetic ministry requires that the priest becomes a conscience of society who priest becomes a conscience of society who can denounce all forms of evil in society can denounce all forms of evil in society (injustice, oppression, violation of human (injustice, oppression, violation of human rights, ecological destruction, etc.rights, ecological destruction, etc.

The prophetic ministry is also geared The prophetic ministry is also geared towards the formation of conscience of the towards the formation of conscience of the people - the members of the parish/BECspeople - the members of the parish/BECs

They will then become truly prophetic They will then become truly prophetic communities that denounce evil in all its communities that denounce evil in all its manifestation and announces the Good New manifestation and announces the Good New of salvation, liberation, justice and peace.of salvation, liberation, justice and peace.

Liturgical/Liturgical/Sacramental MinistrySacramental Ministry

““to to celebrate the celebrate the EucharistEucharist as as authentic authentic presiders”presiders”

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Celebrating the Eucharist and administering Celebrating the Eucharist and administering th sacraments remain an essential dimension th sacraments remain an essential dimension of the ordained ministryof the ordained ministry

But this is to be understood in a But this is to be understood in a communitarian context.communitarian context.

According to Vatican II & PCP II, the priest According to Vatican II & PCP II, the priest presides over a priestly community.presides over a priestly community.

The ministerial priesthood enables the people The ministerial priesthood enables the people of God to actualize its common priesthood. of God to actualize its common priesthood.

The task of the priest as leader of the priestly The task of the priest as leader of the priestly community is to foster full & active community is to foster full & active participation in the liturgical celebration. participation in the liturgical celebration.

He forms the community into a truly He forms the community into a truly worshipping & celebrating community.worshipping & celebrating community.

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Priestly Community (PCP II, Priestly Community (PCP II, 511, 522)511, 522)

““The Christian community is a priestly The Christian community is a priestly community where all the faithful share in community where all the faithful share in the priesthood of Christ. Both the priesthood the priesthood of Christ. Both the priesthood of the faithful and the priesthood of the of the faithful and the priesthood of the ordained ministers are a participation in the ordained ministers are a participation in the one priesthood of Christ…one priesthood of Christ…The priest is the servant-leader of the The priest is the servant-leader of the Eucharistic community. The Word that the Eucharistic community. The Word that the ordained minister speaks achieves its ordained minister speaks achieves its greatest intensity in the Eucharist.greatest intensity in the Eucharist.Every Christian community must be Every Christian community must be Eucharistic because the Eucharist is the Eucharistic because the Eucharist is the source and apex of the whole Christian life.”source and apex of the whole Christian life.”

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In exercising his sacramental/liturgical In exercising his sacramental/liturgical ministry, it is not enough that the priest ministry, it is not enough that the priest administer the sacraments at the parish administer the sacraments at the parish church. church.

He has to go out more often to the barrios He has to go out more often to the barrios & neighborhood communities to celebrate & neighborhood communities to celebrate the Eucharist with the BECs more the Eucharist with the BECs more frequently (monthly, bi-monthly).frequently (monthly, bi-monthly).

He also has to make sure that even in his He also has to make sure that even in his absence the communities/BECs can absence the communities/BECs can continue to come together to pray and continue to come together to pray and celebrate (bible-service, Kasaulogan sa celebrate (bible-service, Kasaulogan sa Pulong, etc).Pulong, etc).

Social Social Service/Action Service/Action

MinistryMinistry

““toto be in the midst of our people be in the midst of our people to know their plights, to know their plights, anguishes, hopes and anguishes, hopes and aspirationsaspirations;;

to be imbued with deep love of to be imbued with deep love of preference for the poor, preference for the poor, defending and vindicating their defending and vindicating their rights”rights”

The ordained ministry cannot be limited to The ordained ministry cannot be limited to leading the Christian community, preaching the leading the Christian community, preaching the Word, or administering the sacraments.Word, or administering the sacraments.

The people that we are called to serve are not The people that we are called to serve are not only hungry for the Word, or want to receive only hungry for the Word, or want to receive the grace that the sacraments conferthe grace that the sacraments confer

There are many people who are poor, hungry, There are many people who are poor, hungry, sick, broken-hearted and oppressed – whose sick, broken-hearted and oppressed – whose rights are violated and who are victims of rights are violated and who are victims of violence, calamity, etc.violence, calamity, etc.

They face so many problems – poverty, They face so many problems – poverty, corruption, injustice, armed conflict, corruption, injustice, armed conflict, environmental degradation.environmental degradation.

What can the priest do? Is responding to these What can the priest do? Is responding to these concerns still part of his ministry?concerns still part of his ministry?

The Synod of Bishops in 1971 in their The Synod of Bishops in 1971 in their document on the ministerial priesthood document on the ministerial priesthood affirms that the ministry of priests include affirms that the ministry of priests include the task of promoting justice, peace and the task of promoting justice, peace and development and the defense of human development and the defense of human rights. rights.

The code of canon law enshrines the idea The code of canon law enshrines the idea that priests have a duty to work for peace that priests have a duty to work for peace and harmony based on justice (Canon 287).and harmony based on justice (Canon 287).

PCP II affirms that the priest must be at PCP II affirms that the priest must be at the service of total human development the service of total human development and must have an “attentive, and must have an “attentive, compassionate, generous and responsive compassionate, generous and responsive heart which impels him to be in solidarity heart which impels him to be in solidarity especially with those who are in need. especially with those who are in need. (538)(538)

““Like the compassionate Good Shepherd, the Like the compassionate Good Shepherd, the priest reaches out to the sick and disabled priest reaches out to the sick and disabled in the community, the poor and victimized in the community, the poor and victimized in society.in society.

Recognizing the plight of the poor and Recognizing the plight of the poor and deprived who are so often neglected by the deprived who are so often neglected by the rich and the mighty, the servant-leader rich and the mighty, the servant-leader encourages the Christian community to encourages the Christian community to reach out with compassion for the weak.reach out with compassion for the weak.

He makes real to the Christian community He makes real to the Christian community Christ’s love of preference for the poor.”Christ’s love of preference for the poor.”

(PCP II 526-27)(PCP II 526-27)

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““The community over which the priest presides is The community over which the priest presides is a ministerial (servant) community…a ministerial (servant) community…

The priest is a servant and leader when he The priest is a servant and leader when he reaches out to all classes of people in the reaches out to all classes of people in the community with great kindness after the manner community with great kindness after the manner of the Lord.of the Lord.

He inspires, leads, and coordinates the members He inspires, leads, and coordinates the members of the community so that they will become what of the community so that they will become what they are supposed to be as Christians.they are supposed to be as Christians.

Very special among his concerns are once again Very special among his concerns are once again the poor, the young people, and parents who are the poor, the young people, and parents who are special evangelizers to their children.” (PCP II special evangelizers to their children.” (PCP II 528)528)

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Thus, the priest has to address the Thus, the priest has to address the problems that his people face – not just problems that his people face – not just the spiritual but also the temporal – the the spiritual but also the temporal – the social, economic, political.social, economic, political.

But he cannot solve this alone – he is But he cannot solve this alone – he is not the Messiah or superman.not the Messiah or superman.

The ministry of social service/action The ministry of social service/action must be understood and lived in must be understood and lived in relation to the Christian community that relation to the Christian community that he leads and serves.he leads and serves.

According to PCP II, the community According to PCP II, the community over which the priest presides is a over which the priest presides is a ministering servant communityministering servant community

The task of the priest is to animate the community The task of the priest is to animate the community to exercise its role as a caring, servant community.to exercise its role as a caring, servant community.

His pastoral ministry involves animating his parish His pastoral ministry involves animating his parish community & the BECs to address the problems that community & the BECs to address the problems that they face – especially poverty, injustice, armed they face – especially poverty, injustice, armed conflict & the destruction of the environment.conflict & the destruction of the environment.

He should encourage and support the BECs to work He should encourage and support the BECs to work for justice, peace, development, and integrity of for justice, peace, development, and integrity of creation and thus help transform society.creation and thus help transform society.

This means helping set up in the parish and BECs This means helping set up in the parish and BECs structures of care, or programs that that respond structures of care, or programs that that respond their concrete needs: disaster relief, IGP, coops, their concrete needs: disaster relief, IGP, coops, health programs, NFP, sustainable agriculture, health programs, NFP, sustainable agriculture, ecology, etc.ecology, etc.

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In order to be credible servant-leader, In order to be credible servant-leader, the priest is called to live a simple the priest is called to live a simple lifestyle and make a preferential option lifestyle and make a preferential option for the poor.for the poor.

Like Christ, he must bring the good Like Christ, he must bring the good news to the poor and help empower news to the poor and help empower them so that the Church can truly them so that the Church can truly become the Church of the poor.become the Church of the poor.

By his words and example, the priest By his words and example, the priest must also encourage those who are not must also encourage those who are not poor to make the option for the poor, to poor to make the option for the poor, to be in solidarity with the poor and to be in solidarity with the poor and to help the poor.help the poor.

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In exercising his ministry of social In exercising his ministry of social concern, the priest should avoid concern, the priest should avoid becoming subservient to ideologies becoming subservient to ideologies and political parties.and political parties.

He should maintain autonomy and He should maintain autonomy and independence from these while at the independence from these while at the same time engaging in dialogue with same time engaging in dialogue with them when necessary. them when necessary.

The motivation and dynamism in the The motivation and dynamism in the social apostolate springs from our faith social apostolate springs from our faith and mission, not from ideologies.and mission, not from ideologies.

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The Episcopal The Episcopal Ministry viv-a-vis Ministry viv-a-vis

BECsBECs

The understanding of the ministry of the The understanding of the ministry of the bishop has the same framework for the bishop has the same framework for the priestly ministry:priestly ministry:

Ministry of Pastoral Leadership & Ministry of Pastoral Leadership & Communion (Pastoral Ministry)Communion (Pastoral Ministry)

Ministry of the Word (Prophetic Ministry)Ministry of the Word (Prophetic Ministry) Liturgical/Sacramental Ministry Liturgical/Sacramental Ministry

(Sacerdotal Ministry)(Sacerdotal Ministry) Social Action/Service Ministry Social Action/Service Ministry According to PCP II: According to PCP II:

““When we speak of priests we refer at the When we speak of priests we refer at the first instance to bishops. They are the first instance to bishops. They are the high priests and servant-leaders of the high priests and servant-leaders of the Christian community…” (PCP II 559)Christian community…” (PCP II 559)

““They bishop is the visible foundation of They bishop is the visible foundation of unity in the diocese…unity in the diocese…

The Bishop is responsible before the Lord The Bishop is responsible before the Lord and his people for the realization of the and his people for the realization of the priestly ideal both in himself and in those priestly ideal both in himself and in those who share the apostolic ministry with him.who share the apostolic ministry with him.

He is to consider priests as his helpers, sons He is to consider priests as his helpers, sons and friends.and friends.

He must affirm and encourage them, inspire He must affirm and encourage them, inspire them to make the best use of their gifts.them to make the best use of their gifts.

When needed be, he should correct them, When needed be, he should correct them, but always as a father lovingly correcting a but always as a father lovingly correcting a son.” (PCP II 560)son.” (PCP II 560)

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BECs cannot flourish without the support BECs cannot flourish without the support and encouragement of the bishopand encouragement of the bishop

As head shepherd of the local/particular As head shepherd of the local/particular Church, it is the primary responsibility of Church, it is the primary responsibility of the bishop to see to it that the vision of a the bishop to see to it that the vision of a renewed Church promoted by Vatican II renewed Church promoted by Vatican II and PCP II be received, owned and and PCP II be received, owned and implemented in his dioceseimplemented in his diocese

What matters most is the building up of a What matters most is the building up of a network of genuine Christian network of genuine Christian communities in the parishes within the communities in the parishes within the diocese which are signs of the vitality of diocese which are signs of the vitality of the local Churchthe local Church

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It is the bishop who inspires and challenges It is the bishop who inspires and challenges his priests to truly live out their role as good his priests to truly live out their role as good shepherds who build up and lead genuine shepherds who build up and lead genuine Christian communities in their respective Christian communities in their respective parishes.parishes.

The bishop makes the priests accountable The bishop makes the priests accountable regarding the vitality of the BECs in their regarding the vitality of the BECs in their parish (progress reports and pastoral visits)parish (progress reports and pastoral visits)

He ensures that there is coordination among He ensures that there is coordination among the various diocesan commissions in the various diocesan commissions in contributing to the growth of BECs.contributing to the growth of BECs.

The bishop has to lead & guide the whole The bishop has to lead & guide the whole flock in the journey. He must make sure that flock in the journey. He must make sure that everyone – clergy, religious & lay faithful – everyone – clergy, religious & lay faithful – will journey together to make their dream will journey together to make their dream and vision a reality.and vision a reality.

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Concluding RemarksConcluding Remarks The building up of BECs requires active The building up of BECs requires active

participation of the laity.participation of the laity. It also requires the initiative and support It also requires the initiative and support

of the clergy – the priests and bishopsof the clergy – the priests and bishops This requires a new way of This requires a new way of

understanding and exercising priestly understanding and exercising priestly ministry.ministry.

The renewal of the Church through the The renewal of the Church through the BECs requires the renewal of the clergy.BECs requires the renewal of the clergy.