Basic Ecclesiastical Community (BEC)

The BEC was recognized in Medellin, Columbia in the late 1960’s in response to the ever growing need for communion and participation especially among the poor in rural areas in the Latin American countries. In the 1970’s, the BEC was activated in Mindanao mainly by Bukidnon Diocese with Bishop Claver of the Society of Jesus and Tagum Diocese with Bishop Reagan of Maryknoll Missionaries. This was not a deliberate joint effort by the two bishops but the result was spectacular. The attempt of a Christian community lifestyle is called in Cebuano Gagmay’ng Kristohanong Katilingban (GKK).

The GKK is one of the gifts for the Church in Mindanao to be more lively, responsive and prayerful compared to Visayas and Luzon. Attempts in Visayas and Luzon to create BECs/GKK failed in the 1990’s starting in Negros Occidental. Today, aside from South America, BEC/GKK is very active in Mindanao. The GKK is the tie that binds and connects the faithful with the Church in the parish level. It is the key that unlocks the door to the hall of greater involvement, participation and mission of the parishioners and the faithful in the parish and Diocesan levels.

The Kasaulogan sa Pulong (KSP), a weekly celebration of the Word of God with the Pangulo sa Liturhiya (PSL), a lay prayer leader, disposes the community members to receive the Holy Eucharist, especially for far away places where the limited number of priests cannot go.

With the Second Plenary Council of the Philippines, paragraph 138, we believe that in the BECs, “the members know each other by name, and share not only the Word of God and the Eucharist but also their concerns both material and spiritual. They have a strong sense of belongingness and of responsibility for one another.”

Mabuhay ang GKK!