CHURCH AS COMMUNION: CALLED TOGETHER AS PEOPLE OF GOD

THIS MODEL STRESSES PERSONAL AND INTERPERSONAL, THE FELLOWSHIP OF PERSONS

WITH GOD AND WITH ONE ANOTHER - A SOLIDARITY AND FELLOWSHIP OF LOVE WITH
GOD AND NEIGHBOR THROUGH THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST.
A WORSHIPING COMMUNITY OF BELIEVERS WHO BY THEIR FAITH BECOME A SIGN AND
INSTRUMENT OF THE UNITY OF GOD AND MAN.
In order to shepherd the People of God and to increase its numbers without cease, Christ the Lord set up
in his Church a variety of offices which aim at the good of the whole body. The holders of office, who are
invested with a sacred power, are, in fact, dedicated to promoting the interests of their brethren, so that all
who belong to the People of God . . . may attain to salvation. (CCC, 874)
Priestly, Kingly, Prophetic
MEMBERSHIP a birth "of water and the Spirit," that is, by faith in Christ, and Baptism.
STATUS Granted with Dignity and Freedom
MISSION to be the salt of the earth and light of the world
HEAD Jesus Christ (the anointed Messiah), thus we are the Messianic People
DESTINY UNION WITH GOD perfected at the end of time
Communion within the church
ST. JOHN PAUL II, ECCLESIA IN ASIA
“At the heart of the mystery of the Church is the bond of communion which unites Christ the Bridegroom
to all the baptized.”
“The Church's first purpose then is to be the sacrament of the inner union of the human person with God,
and, because people's communion with one another is rooted in that union with God, the Church is also
the sacrament of the unity of the human race.” (EA, 24)

THE FAMILIES (DOMESTIC CHURCH) AS COMMUNION OF PERSONS

ECCLESIA DOMESTICA
The Christian family, like the Church as a whole, should be a place where the truth of the Gospel is the
rule of life and the gift which the family members bring to the wider community. The family is not simply
the object of the Church's pastoral care; it is also one of the Church's most effective agents of
evangelization. (EA, 46)
THE BASIC ECCLESIAL COMMUNITIES (BECS) AS COMMUNION OF FAMILIES
The value of basic ecclesial communities as an effective way of promoting communion and participation
in parishes and Dioceses, and as a genuine force for evangelization should be underlined.
These small groups help the faithful to live as believing, praying and loving communities like the early
Christians (cf. Acts 2:44-47; 4:32-35).
They aim to help their members to live the Gospel in a spirit of fraternal love and service. (EA, 25)
THE BEC AS A MODEL OF A SERVANT CHURCH IN THE PHILIPPINES THE CHURCH OF THE
POOR
The Church is not only FOR the poor but also OF the poor. The unity of Christ is not  simply a unity of
disciples; it is also a unity, solidarity and fellowship with the oppressed, humiliated and the suffering.
BECs embodies the Church of the Poor in the Philippines
To be a Church who's servant to the World sets the Church in a subordinate role to the world, just as Jesus
washed his disciple’s feet and commissioned them to do likewise (Jn. 13)
As a community of believers, Christians are enjoined to serve the world and foster universal brotherhood
“The Church must have a special love for the poor...  It is not an exclusive or excluding love in such a
way that there is no room in a Christian’s heart for those who are not poor.  For always, the Christian
must love all persons...   (PCPII 126-127)
It is one where the entire community of disciples … will have such a love of preference for the poor as to
orient and tilt the center of gravity of the entire community in favor of the needy” (PCP II)
“When the Church in the PH becomes truly this Church of the Poor, the poor will feel at home in her, and
will participate actively, as equal to others, in her life and mission.  The Church will then become truly a
communion, a sign and instrument, for the unity of the whole Filipino nation” (JM Kroeger quoting PCP
II)
THE PARISH AS COMMUNION OF BECS AND OTHER ECCLESIAL COMMUNITIES
The parish remains the ordinary place where the faithful gather to grow in faith, to live the mystery of
ecclesial communion and to take part in the Church's mission.
Pastors to devise new and effective ways of shepherding the faithful, so that everyone, especially the
poor, will feel truly a part of the parish and of God's People as a whole... to be well integrated into the life
and mission of the parish and Diocese. (EA, 25)
The role of Renewal Movements
- provide opportunities for a more intimate experience of God through faith and the sacraments, and foster
conversion of life. (EA, 25) 
THE DIOCESE AS COMMUNION OF COMMUNITIES
The Diocese is a communion of communities gathered around the Shepherd, where clergy, consecrated
persons and the laity are engaged in a "dialogue of life and heart" sustained by the grace of the Holy
Spirit. 
This local Church should become a "participatory Church, "hence, there is a need to foster greater
involvement of the laity and consecrated men and women in pastoral planning and decision-making. (EA,
25) 
UNIVERSAL AUTHORITY OF THE SUCCESSOR OF PETER
The universal authority of the Successor of Peter shines forth more clearly, not primarily as juridical
power over the local Churches, but as a pastoral primacy at the service of the unity of faith and life of the
whole People of God.
The Petrine office has a unique ministry in guaranteeing and promoting the unity of the universal Church
(EA, 25)