BECs and living with people of different faiths and beliefs

In Pope Benedict XVI’s Apostolic letter, Porta Fidei for the Indiction of the Year of Faith – the Pope speaks about the importance of Charity, specially the concern for the poor and less privileged, (cf. No. 14).

As St Paul reminds us: “So faith, hope, love abide, those three; but the greatest of these is love” (1 Cor. 13:13). With even stronger words St James says: “What does it profit my brethren if a man says he has faith but has not works?

Can his faith save him? If a brother or sister is ill-clad and in lack of daily food, and one of you says to him, ‘go in peace, be warmed and filled without giving him things needed for the body, what does it profit o faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead” (James 2:14-18).

The BECs have much to do with the Church’s solidarity with the poor and the marginalised. In fact, the Church has numerous institutions that look after the poor. These should continue, perhaps, in a much bigger way.

There should be clear structures in parishes to look after the economically poor and the needy. Nevertheless, it doesn’t speak merely of feeding the hungry or housing the homeless. Poverty is often the result of unjust structures. It is also the effect of selfishness on the part of a few. The Word of God calls the Church to take up the cause of the poor and to seek justice on their behalf. Holy Father Pope Francis reminds us of the urgency of this task.

The advocacy on behalf of the poor is a demand that arises from scripture. We are not just to clothe the destitute, but also to speak up for them and uphold their rights. The call of the Church, no doubt, is to render aid for the physical needs of the poor. But the call is also to be committed to the need of justice for which advocacy is necessary, (cf. FABC Papers No. 133) and to create a better world for the poor. In order to do this task effectively, the Church engages in a dialogue today with various international organisations which are committed towards the same task. This has to be done locally too, depending on the challenges in each country. The Church becomes credible when the poor and the marginalised are part of it. This is the path that Pope Francis opened to us by calling a special ‘Year of Mercy.”

There are thousands of Church institutions throughout the world engaged in this task. There are situations of alarming poverty and absolute helplessness. Often, children and women are the worst victims of such situations. Human trafficing child labour seual harassment of migrant workers and domestic violence are some of the most alarming issues. A new evangelisation has to take these issues seriously. The concern for the poor should arise from one’s faith. Faith without charity bears no fruit; while charity without faith is a mere sentiment. (cf. PF. 14). Issues of this nature will be too formidable to handle in the BECs without the backing of the local Church.

Forming Lay Leaders
The local churches have a responsibility to form their leaders. Often, lack of preparation of lay leaders is seen as the cause for failure in forming the BECs. Preparing the ground is essential for the success of the BECs. A well formed group of lay people should animate the entire programme for which they should be empowered. Formation of the Lay Leaders is an essential tool for the BECs to function smoothly.

A small group of committed and interested lay people should be motivated and given special training about leadership.

This preparation should be seen as an investment within the framework of a participatory church.

There should also be on-going formation for the leaders who will be the animators of this programme. Constant care, encouragement, support and guidance of the leaders will go a long way for the sustenance of the BECs. In every parish we have people of good will who serve in various lay apostolates. They include the catechists and other lay missionaries who are concerned with evangelisation. They are a real resource to the local churches.

This group should be essential participants in BECs. We should target first towards a well confirmed group of leaders and second, towards a group of essential participants.

They need to be motivated as well. They should be convinced that the final goal of being connected to the lay associations,(eg:- Liturgy Group, Legion of Mary, Vincent De Paul Society, Charismatic Group, Family Apostolate Group, Caritas Group, Youth Group, PMS Group) should have a necessary connection to the BECs in their own locality.

Their impact should be felt by the parish. This impact to the parish could only be felt by way of their connectedness to the BECs. If not, these groups will be only serving themselves; like a stream or a river that does not meet the ocean. Another topic of great importance for most of our Asian countries where we live as minorities is the need to relate to people of other faiths. Therefore in our BECs, we need to make an effort to relate with these people of different faiths. — By Bishop Devsritha Valence Mendis, Bishop of Chilaw, Sri Lanka This was the keynote address given at the AsIPA General Assembly VII in Thailand from October 22-28, 2015

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online