Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Dajeon (Agenzia Fides) – The Basic Ecclesial Communities (BEC) are now a reality that is deeply rooted in the Korean Catholic Church and are now present in 15 dioceses. They are instruments that work in the evangelization effort, with their own approach, evangelical witness in simplicity and solidarity with the poor. This was what the The 7th National Conference of Basic Ecclesial Communities, recently held in Dajeon. Over 300 priests, religious, and laity from 15 Korean dioceses came together to reflect on the Gospel passage: “"Were not our hearts burning (within us) while he spoke to us on the way and opened the scriptures to us?" (Lk 24,32), evaluating the situation and prospects of the BEC’s pastoral ministry in Korea.
The Conference was presided by Bishop Paul Choi Deok-ki of Suwon, head of the National Committee for the Pastoral Care of the BEC, and later issued a final document encouraging the BEC to “to witness the Lord with a love for neighbor practicing the Mystery of Eucharist in everyday life; to make the Basic Ecclesial Communities as the better communities of the culture of life and love against the culture of death; to make the Basic Ecclesial Communities as the open communities for all age groups from children to the elderly; to have an intensive exchange between communities promoting experience sharing and Bible study; to present the vision of the Basic Ecclesial Communities to all dioceses.”
The BEC, the assembly observed, is not simply a gathering of people who live in the same area. Rather, there is a need to reaffirm the pastoral importance of the experience, which allows for communion and dialogue of life based on the Gospel, helping to renew the Church’s image and offer a contribution to the evangelization and realization of the ecclesiology of communion.
The participants hope that every BEC may become a site for evangelization, involving an active participation on the part of Catholic laity. The Conference affirmed that, “the BEC movement tries to revive the role of the Catholic Church in modern society.” With this in mind, the Catholic laity of the BECs should become evangelizers capable of announcing the message of Christ’s love with courage, simplicity, and joy, and through their testimony, help to reawaken the faith of Korea.
The BEC are small communities, mainly begun from the bosom of the Church, following in the spirit of Second Vatican Council, that work toward a rediscovery of the Word of God, that forms the basis of the Church as a people with solidarity with the poor. South Korea has nearly 48 million inhabitants. The Catholics number a little over 4 million. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 13/6/2008)
