According to the Archbishop of Manila BECs are “an expression of a renewed church” and places to share faith. Communion opens our hearts and doors to anyone. Participation in the Philippines means enabling the lay people to participate more fully in the life of the church and its task of mission, he says. 

              Manila (AsiaNews/Cbcp) – Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle called on the Catholic faithful to manifest the characteristics of a renewed church through the promotion of Basic Ecclesial Communities (BECs) in every Catholic household. In his talk during the Manila Archdiocesan General Pastoral Assembly (MAGPAS) last Saturday, 14 June, 2014 Tagle stressed the importance of BECs as the "expression of a renewed church. Basic Ecclesial Communities, under various names and forms,” Tagle said, quoting the words of the Second Plenary Council of the Philippines (PCP II) – “must be vigorously promoted for the full living of the Christian vocation in both urban and rural areas."

             According to Tagle, PCP II emphasizes the need for BECs to rally the faithful behind the Second Vatican Council’s "vision of a renewed Church" and "for the full living of the Christian vocation." "PCP II does not tell us to establish BECs only in places where it would be easily accepted. What the PCP II urges us to do is promote it, regardless if it would be easy or hard," he said.

             Noting the different characteristics of a renewed church, the Manila Archbishop called on the faithful to live in communion with one other, noting that individual differences should not serve as a hindrance to achieve unity in diversity. "Communion opens our hearts and doors to anyone," he said.

            "In the renewed Church of Communion, regardless of who you are and what you have become, we are all equal because we are all created with dignity, baptized Christians in the name of the Holy Spirit, Jesus, and the Almighty Father," Tagle said. And the “Year of the Laity” is a very timely opportunity to fulfill this mission.

            "Participation comes in two ways — everyone gives, everyone receives…Participation in the Philippines means enabling the lay people to participate more fully in the life of the Church and its task of mission," Tagle said. "The vision of PCP II of a renewed church in the Philippines is a more active participation of the laity in the life and mission of the Church. Live a life of serving and following Christ in your respective communities," he added.