LIVING CHRISTIAN COMMUNITIES\

SMALL CHRISTIAN COMMUNITIES

by

Mons. Patient Kanyamachumbi

 

 

The priest and living ecclesial communities is a theme of great importance for our Churches. Since 1961 the Catholic Church in Zaire is organized in small living ecclesial communities promoted by the missionaries. In No. 16 of the document that the Episcopal Conference of Zaire consecrated to these communities, their importance in the framework of the new Evangelization is shown. In fact, priests and other pastoral agents must make sure that these communities are a faithful reflection of the Catholic Church. This is not an assembly of friends or perfect people. Whence, they are all called to belong to living communities. The priest has an important role here since he arouses vocations and ministries.

As regards candidates for the priesthood and religious life, living ecclesial communities intervene right from the beginning on entering the minor seminary and the postulate. These communities welcome them and carry along the whole weight of the ecclesial ministry. It is thanks to these communities at the Catholic Church gets in contact with non‑Catholics, evangelizes and inculcates the message, teaches and publicly bears witness to Jesus Christ.

In brief, in a diocese or parish organized in Living Ecclesial Communities each apostle of the church finds his place and distinction between appointments and ministries becomes clearer.

In some Dioceses in Zaire local faithful understand so well the fact that they are authentic leaders of the church that they ask for priests to the Bishop after having built and equipped by themselves the parishes and their out‑stations. Priests who are sent to them are real ministers, that is to say servants of the community who have been called, are guests, are supported and appreciated by them.

 

 

Original text in French