At our early October gathering, Fr. Marti brought up the concept of Base Christian Communities. Base Christian Communities have been tied to Liberation Theology (particularly in Central and South America) and the preservation of Catholic teaching during communist oppression (as in Hungary)[1]. The concept is not in service of a particular political reality, but rather an affirmation that strenuous times have inspired Catholics to return to the small group for sustaining prayer and meaningful action, as Jesus and his Disciples shared.
I’ve been thinking about the quotes below as I look ahead to the next meeting of Pax Christi Central Seattle (stay tuned!). They were gathered by Presentation Ministries[2] of Ohio
from the writings of Pope John Paul II and Pope Paul VI. Could the model of Base Christian Communities be helpful to us as we work for peace in our urban community here and in the world at large?
"A rapidly growing phenomenon in the young churches…is that of 'ecclesial basic communities' (also known by other names) which are proving to be good centers for Christian formation and missionary outreach. These are groups of Christians who…come together for prayer, Scripture reading, catechesis, and discussion on human and ecclesial problems with a view to a common commitment. These communities are a sign of vitality within the Church, an instrument of formation and evangelization, and a solid starting point for a new society based on 'civilization of love.'
"These communities decentralize and organize the parish community, to which they always remain united" (Pope John Paul II, The Mission of the Redeemer, 51).
Communautes de base (basic communities) "will be a hope for the universal Church to the extent:
- that they seek their nourishment in the Word of God and do not allow themselves to be ensnared by political polarization or fashionable ideologies, which are ready to exploit their immense human potential;
- that they avoid the ever present temptation of systematic protest and a hypercritical attitude, under the pretext of authenticity and a spirit of collaboration;
- that they remain firmly attached to the local Church in which they are inserted, and to the universal Church, thus avoiding the very real danger of becoming isolated within themselves...;
- that they maintain a sincere communion with the pastors whom the Lord gives to His Church, and with the magisterium which the Spirit of Christ has entrusted to these pastors;
- that they never look on themselves as the sole beneficiaries or sole agents of evangelization — or even the only depositories of the Gospel — but, being aware that the Church is much more vast and diversified, accept the fact that this Church becomes incarnate in other ways than themselves;
- that they constantly grow in missionary consciousness, fervor, commitment and zeal;
- that they show themselves to be universal in all things and never sectarian."
"On these conditions, which are certainly demanding but also uplifting, the ecclesial communautes de base will correspond to their most fundamental vocation; as hearers of the Gospel which is proclaimed to them and privileged beneficiaries of evangelization, they will soon become proclaimers of the Gospel themselves" (Pope Paul VI, On Evangelization, 58) [emphasis mine].
-EB-
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