How our priorities have evolved

Deepening our understanding of our pastoral orientation
As a result of the month long study and reflection by the clergy in August 1976 (Aggiornamento), the Building of BECs was identified as the Core Need. The four related needs identified were Unity, Formation, Ecumenical and Interreligious Dialogue.

Ten years later, in 1986 during the Peninsular Malaysia Pastoral Convention 1, another related need, the formation of the Youths was identified and added to the list.

In 1996, the Peninsular Malaysia Pastoral Convention II reiterated the need to be a communion of communities and added more concerns such as the Family and Social Communication.

1976 — Aggiornamento

CORE NEED — BCC 
As a result of the one-month long study and reflections, the Building of Basic Christian Communities was identified as the Core Need.

FOUR RELATED NEEDS
1. Unity
2. Formation
3. Ecumenical and Interreligious Dialogue
4. Integral Human Deveopment

IMPLEMENTATION
These options were implemented at the diocesan and parish levels through the New Image of the Parish (NIP) Programme initially initiated by the Better World Movement.

1986 — Peninsular Malaysia Pastoral Convention 1

CORE NEED — BEC
Continue to build Christ-centred Basic Ecclesial Communities.

SPECIAL AREAS OF CONCERN
1. Unity
2. Formation
3. Ecumenical and Interreligious Dialogue
4. Integral Human Deveopment
5. Youth

IMPLEMENTATION
These options were implemented at the diocesan and parish levels through the Parish Renewal Experience (PRE).

1996 — Peninsular Malaysia Pastoral Convention 2

CORE NEED/ FUNDAMENTAL OPTION — BEC
So many Catholics have found joy, fellowship and caring in such communities and the grace to reach out to our other less fortunate sisters and brothers in compassion. The People of God have truly been nurtured in their human and spiritual lives.

PRIORITY AREAS OF CONCERN
1. Unity
2. Formation
3. Ecumenical and Interreligious Dialogue
4. Integral Human Deveopment
5. Youth
6. Families
7. Social Communication

IMPLEMENTATION
These areas of concern were implemented at the diocesan and parish levels through the New Way Of Being Church.

2006 — Peninsular Malaysia Pastoral Convention 3

BASIC OPTION — BEC 
Our basic option as Church is to build Basic Ecclesial Communities (BECs) that reflect our primary communion as People of God.

PASTORAL PRIORITIES
1. Unity
2. Formation
3. Ecumenical and Interreligious Dialogue
4. Integral Human Deveopment
5. Youth
6. Families
7. Social Communication

IMPLEMENTATION
Consolidation of efforts in the implementation of the basic option and the pastoral priorities. Six strategies were proposed to accomplish this:
1. Renewing Faith, Re-evangelisation, Social Conscientisation
2. Systematic Review
3. Mechanism for Dialogue, Consultation and Feedbacks
4. Training and Formation
5. Pastoral Care of Priority Groups
6. Recommitment and Support of the Clergy

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online