Basic Ecclesial Communities (BEC) Commission

A Church That Gathers in Homes, Grows in Faith, and Serves in Love

Basic Ecclesial Communities (BECs) are the living cells of our Church—small groups of faithful families who come together regularly to pray, reflect on the Word of God, and support one another in daily life. These communities bring the Church closer to the people, making faith alive at the grassroots level. The BEC Commission of our Diocese is devoted to strengthening these communities and forming the Church as a communion of families.

What Are Basic Ecclesial Communities (BECs)?

BECs are small, neighbourhood-based gatherings where faith is lived in community. Rooted in the model of the early Church, they reflect the communal spirit of Acts 2:42:

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.”

Here, the Church is not limited to a Sunday experience—it becomes a daily reality, lived in fellowship, prayer, and service within families and neighbours.

Goals of the BEC Commission

• Promote Deep Fellowship: In a fragmented world, BECs offer spiritual and emotional closeness. They foster relationships of trust, compassion, and mutual support.

• Enable Active Lay Participation: BECs promote lay leadership and shared responsibility. Trained lay animators and leaders guide prayers, coordinate outreach, and strengthen bonds within the group.

• Reach the Marginalized: BECs are especially effective in reaching the elderly, the sick, the poor, and those on the peripheries. They ensure that no one is left behind in the life of the Church.

• Bridge to the Parish Church: BECs are an extension of the parish—they connect people to their pastors, sacraments, and liturgical celebrations while respecting the rhythm of neighbourhood life.

Formation and Pastoral Support

The BEC Commission offers formation to BEC leaders and animators through seminars, retreats, and workshops. Formation is not just about leadership skills but includes spiritual renewal and theological grounding.

We also coordinate with parish priests to ensure that BECs are planted, nurtured, and renewed in every part of the Diocese, especially in rural and tribal areas where the community spirit is already strong.

The Church in the Homes of the Faithful

BECs are not just programs—they are a way of being Church. They represent a Church that is near, that listens, and that walks with people in their everyday lives. Through BECs, the Church becomes personal, relational, and truly missionary.

The BECs are the future of our Church—a future built not only in churches and schools, but in homes, courtyards, and hearts.