U2 Lesson 3 - The Response of the Catholic Church: Renewed Integral Evangelization

Philippine Church’s Main Task

It is to encourage its flocks to become active members of Christian communities and to lead people to authentic renewal through meaningful proclamation of the Good News to address some existing contradictions in the Philippines, such as massive poverty, unemployment, graft corruption, and drug addiction.

The Vision-Mission of the 2nd Plenary Council of the Philippines

The Church in the Philippines sees itself as a community of disciples trusting in God's love and striving for harmony with each other, creation, and God. As a "Church of the Poor," members are encouraged to embrace poverty and engage in evangelization that reflects the Gospel of salvation. Guided by the Holy Spirit and inspired by Mary, bishops, priests, and laypeople work together to implement the teachings of the Second Plenary Council, promoting gospel values and a harmonious society through being God-centered, people-centered, patriotic, and pro-life.

Community of Disciples

The Church's mission, rooted in faith in Jesus, extends to Asia and all of creation, embodying a community of disciples that reflects the Holy Trinity, where the three divine Persons are unique, equal, and united in continuous sharing and mission. This vision also draws inspiration from the early apostolic Christian communities, emphasizing a collaborative and inclusive approach to spreading the Gospel.

The Church of the Poor

Our primary focus should be on programs aimed at conscientizing, evangelizing, and organizing the marginalized poor, starting by forming them into small communities of faith and discernment. This approach further involves creating sectoral groups to address specific needs within cultural, political, economic, and religious institutions. Ultimately, this initiative seeks to empower the laity, particularly the poor, to take active roles and assume leadership within the life and mission of the Church.

Basic Ecclesial Communities or BECs as Community of Discipiles

Small groups of Christians, inspired by the early Church's Domus Ecclesia, come together in homes to share God's Word and resources. These communities promote belonging and shared responsibility through regular teaching and lively Eucharistic celebrations. Members address spiritual and material needs, advocating for justice and social change driven by their faith. They embody the Church's vision as active disciples, serving as both evangelized and evangelizing communities that proclaim salvation, reflect Christ's presence in the Sacraments, and care for the poor, contributing to God's Kingdom of justice, peace, and love.

Integral Faith Formation

It is central to pastoral renewal, as it fosters integral faith essential for fulfilling our vocation and mission. This faith must be discerning, enabling individuals to recognize and appreciate the action of God in their lives and communities.

Empowerment of the Laity toward Social Transformation

It encourages and supports lay people in utilizing their God-given gifts and charisms, empowering them to take the lead in driving social transformation within their communities.

Active Presence and Participation of the Poor in the Church

We must embody an evangelical poverty that allows us to learn from the poor and actively work to free ourselves from values, behaviors, and lifestyles that perpetuate discrimination against them.

The Family as the Focal Point of Evangelization

The family serves as the foundational unit of both the Church and society, making it essential for the Gospel to be shared within the family first, as many cultural distortions stem from it. Therefore, integral faith formation must occur within the family for all its members, empowering the family to become a key agent in proclaiming the Gospel.

Building and strengthening of Participatory Communities that make up the Parish as a Community of Communities

We will promote the growth and strengthening of Basic Ecclesial Communities and other faith communities as vital vehicles for renewal, aiming to integrate them into parish life and activities while fostering coordination and participatory decision-making structures.

Integral Renewal of the Clergy

To combat the insufficient witnessing by some clergy, we will facilitate deeper dialogue between the clergy and the poor, encouraging their lifestyles to align more closely with that of the poor Christ. Additionally, we will prioritize effective clergy formation in areas such as human development, spirituality, scripture, theology, pastoral care, and mission to promote genuine servant-leadership.

Journeying with the Youth

They represent the largest segment of our population and play a vital role as active agents of renewal within the Church and society; however, they are also particularly susceptible to the challenges posed by advancing technology. We recognize their gifts and significant potential to embody the Christian ideal in their lives, and we commit to engaging in dialogue with them, immersing ourselves in their experiences, and supporting their journey toward achieving the maturity of Christ that we all seek.

Ecumenism and Inter-religious Dialogue

To fulfill the unity that Christ desires, we will work to eliminate prejudices and foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of various faiths and religious traditions, particularly Islam. Additionally, we will promote dialogue across all sectors of society as a means of healing, reconciliation, and achieving national unity.

Animation and Formation for “Missio Ad Gentes”

In response to the Holy Father's call for Filipinos to become "the foremost missionaries for all of Asia," we will integrate mission animation and formation into religious education within families, schools, and other formation institutions to empower and prepare individuals for this vital role.

New Evangelization

This term is defined by Pope John Paul II in his 1992 encyclical Redemptoris Missio, seeks to revitalize faith, energize the Church's development, and promote unity among believers. It encourages baptized members to deepen their own faith while reaching out to fellow Christians who urgently require a renewed encounter with Christ. In today's context, this entails re-presenting the Gospel to individuals in societies and cultures significantly impacted by secularization, employing innovative ardor, methods, and expressions.

Evangelization by Attraction

When our communities show a Christ-like love characterized by joyful unity as exemplified by the first Christian communities, the world will once more take notice and exclaim again, See these Christians, how they love one another!

Evangelization in a Digital World

In today's society, being absent from the digital realm equates to being out of touch, making it essential for the Church to engage with this world to effectively share the Good News. The digital landscape is where people reside and can be reached, and failing to leverage these platforms means overlooking a powerful tool bestowed by the Lord for communicating the Gospel to all people.

Evangelization and Conversion

The primary response expected from those who hear the preaching of the Good News is repentance, which is referred to as metanoia in Greek in the New Testament.

Repentance

It involves three key changes: first, a change of mind reflecting a new way of thinking or perspective; second, a change of heart that alters our attitude and inner disposition; and third, a change of behavior that manifests in our actions.