Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Quito (Fides Service) - A three day Meeting for delegates of the Bishops’ Conferences of Latin America and the Caribbean which opens today in Quito Ecuador will focus on the mission of Basic Ecclesial Communities CEB. The meeting was called by the CELAM department for ecclesial communion and dialogue through the section for parishes and small communities whose head is Mgr Sergio Alfredo Gualberti Calandrina. Members of Continental CEB will take part in reflection on the identity and mission of CEB in America. The slogan of the meeting is: “Basic Ecclesial Communities, school for disciples and missionaries of Jesus Christ”.
Basic Ecclesial Communities, said Pope John Paul II “are a sign of vitality in the Church, a means of formation and evangelisation, a valid starting point for a new society built on the civilisation of love”. These Communities are called to be living signs of the saving presence of Jesus and also an effective channel for evangelisation. These Communities have various dimensions which characterise their activity: the dimension Kerygma with three aspects catechesis, evangelisation and prophetic action; liturgical and spiritual dimension in which prayer and the Eucharistic celebration have an important place and the celebration of the sacraments constitutes a missionary opportunity; the community dimension; the dimension of solidarity with concrete action to foster awareness of the needs and sufferings of the people, with works of mercy and human promotion, attention for the sick and the dying, care for emigrants; the organisational dimension: CEBs are part of the parish, they are linked with the bishop through the parish priest and follow faithfully the teaching of the Church. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 24/5/2006; righe 22, parole 285)
