National Consultation on Synodality: An Experience (Part 2 of 3)

DaDiTaMa Quarterly Meeting, Diocese of Tagum
September 19-20, 2022

DADITAMA
HIGHLIGHTED 16 POINTS
COMMON IN OTHER METROPOLITAN REPORTS (Lights Only)

1. BECs/GKKs: Factors Affecting Participation and Their Effects

LIGHTS!

• “The Church has made us feel that we matter.”
• The BEC is the flagship program of most dioceses. It is frequently mentioned as a key factor in building up the faith and mission at the local level
• The BEC has been an effective approach in building communities through various programs and projects such as financial aid to the needy, construction of houses for the homeless poor, relief work for victims of natural disasters, source of refuge for mutual assistance especially during the pandemic.
• Members have the chance to speak out and show their concerns and love to the Church.
• Weekly meetings and prayers as avenues that members are listened to.
• BEC meetings are opportunities to speak out, much also depends on the capacity of the leaders.
• BECs have been important spaces for building up the life of worship of the baptized, through the regular Bible-sharing, popular devotions and other community liturgies, like the Service of the Word led by extra-ordinary ministers on Sundays in places that cannot be reached by priests.

2. On the Clergy

LIGHTS!

• Many priests have shown their fidelity and commitment to God and in their ministry to people.
• Many good and holy priests have become an inspiration to the people especially during the pandemic in their heroic acts of anointing of the sick and giving comfort to the people during wakes for the dead.
• Many priests would celebrate Mass in difficult-to-reach places by traversing mountains.

3. On Parish and GKK Leaders

LIGHTS!

• PPC (Parish Pastoral Council) meetings are also venues for speaking out as all church groups are represented.
• Lay leaders, the educated, and those who are active in the Church, have the courage to express themselves.
• The Church is experienced by many as a mother in providing the spiritual needs of her children.
• Parish organizational meetings, pastoral assemblies – diocesan, vicarial, and parish levels, and including BEC prayer gatherings and meetings are seen as structures that allow for active participation in the life of the Church.

4. On GKK Members

LIGHTS!

• The active participation of women in the Church is evident in all activities and groups.
• Many are inspired to become members of the BEC because of their admiration to the BEC leaders and some members.

5. On Sacramental Life and the Celebration of the Word of God

LIGHTS!

• The Eucharistic celebrations and other liturgical activities are foremost among the occasions where people hear the voice of God.
• Members appreciated the meaningful celebrations of the Sacraments, especially the Eucharist.
• Worship remained as the best venue for experiencing synodality.
• Some also say they hear God more during times of hardships, poverty, and calamities.
• The liturgical celebrations inspire them to be humble, to be charitable and strengthen their feelings of belongingness in the family of God, as well as their desire to keep their families together.
• Dioceses also mentioned the gift of popular religious practices as important ways of experiencing God.
• Participants are grateful for the well-prepared liturgies and homilies of priests, especially when priests celebrate Mass in the far-flung areas of the diocese.

6. On Going Mission

LIGHTS!

• There is a general perception that sharing responsibility in the mission of the church is about active participation in the mass and devotional practices.

7. On Families

LIGHTS!

• There are families who are actively involved in the parish and BEC activities.

8. On Youth

LIGHTS!

• Children and youth were able to speak about the Church through images or illustrations.
• The contribution of the youth ministry has been commonly felt especially because of the need to set up social media ministries and to provide backup support for a more organized distribution of “ayuda” (financial help),

9. On Nature and Care for our Common Home

LIGHTS!

• The appeal for the church to ‘oppose destructive activities like open pit mining and coal-powered plants.’
• Environmental issues have to be considered as an important call of the time.

10. Other Faith Communities (ACLAIM, DCLAIM, etc.)

LIGHTS!

• The consultation made it possible for the unheard voices to be heard and for people in the margins to share their views regarding the Church.
• In challenging situations of oppression and injustice, especially when people are in danger or they feel powerless, they feel the need to ask the guidance of the Holy Spirit and support one another in speaking out for truth.

11. Special Groups and Peripheries/Marginalized

LIGHTS!

• They feel that they are valued and trusted members of the BEC’s and Parishes.
• There are partnerships with government agencies, both national and local, including networking with NGOs to promote community welfare.
• Collaborations with various sectors is happening in the many institutions and ministries that serve the poor and the marginalized.

12. Voices of the Diocesan Clergy & 13. Voices of the Consecrated Life (Men and Women)

LIGHTS!

• They are happy to see priests who are faithful to their vows of celibacy.
• Many are inspired because of priests who are good in giving homilies.

14. Inter-Religious Dialogue Partners

LIGHTS!

• Dialogue exists within the structures of the Church.
• The MSPC (Mindanao-Sulu Pastoral Conference) and the Bishops-Ulama Conference diocesan desk in Mindanao are avenues for active dialogue with Muslims and the Indigenous peoples.
• Some dioceses have good programs of collaborating with other religions.

15. Ecumenical Dialogue Partners

LIGHTS!

• Dialogue within the structures of the Church.
• Bishops-Ulama Conference is recognized as an avenue for dialogue in the Church of Mindanao.
• Dialogues with Christians are seen during the annual celebrations of the Week of Prayer and Christian Unity through programs and activities organized by the local government units, collaborative partnerships in response to the victims of natural calamities, and common prayers services during disasters and other important socio-political or cultural events.
• The Church is willing to work to end violence and conflicts and is called upon not to retaliate or take revenge in time of discrimination and persecution.
• The Church opens its doors to other Christians and people of other faith in times of natural calamities and other emergencies.
• Catholics welcome them into their homes.

16. Indigenous Peoples

LIGHTS!

• Though Church initiatives, dialogue to these groups are spearheaded.
• Some notes that IPs are already part of the BECs.
• In some areas, IPs are caught in the crossfire between rebels and the military and they have no one to turn to for help except the Church.
• In other instances, the church turns to the Ips to concretely address the urgency of caring for our common home.

(Rev. Fr. Edilberto R. Mahinay)