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Basic ecclesial communities
263. Basic ecclesial
communities have experienced a great diffusion in recent decades. (282)
These are groups of Christians which "arise because men want to live the
life of the Church with greater fervour or because they desire and seek a more
human way of life which large ecclesial communities cannot easily
provide". (283)
Basic ecclesial communities are a sign of
the "Church's vitality". (284) The disciples of Christ gather
together in them so as to hear the word of God, to develop fraternal bonds, to
celebrate the Christian mysteries in their lives and to assume responsibility
for transforming society. In addition to these specifically Christian concerns
other important human values emerge: friendship, personal recognition, a spirit
of co-responsibility, creativity, vocational response, concern for the problems
of the world and of the Church. From them, an enriched community experience can
result, "a true expression of communion and a means for the construction
of a more profound communion". (285) To be authentic, "every
community must live in union with the particular and the universal Church, in
heartfelt communion with the Church's Pastors and the Magisterium, with a
commitment to missionary outreach and without yielding to isolationism or
ideological exploitation". (286)
264. In basic ecclesial
communities an extremely enriching catechesis can be developed:
– The fraternal climate, in which it lives,
is an environment suitable for integral catechetical activity, providing that
the proper nature and character of catechesis is respected;
– On the other hand, catechesis must strive
to deepen community life so as to ensure a basis for the Christian life of the
faithful, without which basic Christian communities lack stability;
– The small Community is always a suitable
place to receive those who have concluded a catechetical journey.
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