Peninsular Dioceses trace their journey towards PMPC IV

Oct 20, 2016

In preparation for PMPC IV, 1,215 delegates gathered at their respective Archdiocesan Pastoral Assembly (APA) and two Diocesan Synods (Penang and Melaka-Johore) May 1-3.

The Malacca-Johore Diocese Synod was held over two days.

During these days, they studied the results of the questionnaire that was sent to the respective arch/dioceses earlier.

Based on these answers, they synthesised the results and projected the possible orientation for PMPC IV and for their own arch/ dioceses.

All the Arch/Dioceses maintained the priorities that were set from Aggiornamento to PMPC III.

Below is a compilation of the positives, negatives and suggestions for improvements on the BECs (Basic Option) and the seven Pastoral Priorities from the assembly and synods which were presented by Fr James Rajendran, Fr Jude Miranda and Msgr Mitchel Anthony to the PMPC IV delegates.

Basic Option — BECs

Positives
-- It is relevant, active and missionary oriented.
-- There is growth in commitment and in spirituality.
-- It is a social support, praying and service.
-- Members are involved in social actions

Negatives
-- Do not have a sense of belonging. 
-- Relationships seem to be superficial and impersonal. 
-- Lack of vibrancy, poor leadership. 
-- Do not meet the needs of the various groups, age and language.

Suggestions
-- Besides area based BECs, we must be open to other forms of small communities.

Unity

Positives
-- There is greater unity between priest, religious and laity.
-- There is friendliness and interaction among different groups

Negatives
-- No sense of belonging.
-- Polarisation in the parish.
-- Lack of communication and interaction among groups.
-- Lack of friendliness and hospitality in our communities.

Suggestions
--Unity — must be inclusive of all and welcome all.

Formation

Positives
-- Authentic spiritual programmes — To enhance spiritual and personal development.
-- To acknowledge that faith formation is important in the building of one’s faith. 
-- Appropriate and appealing programmes and activities according to the needs.

Negatives
-- Most Catholics have only a mediocre understanding of faith .
-- Formations given at parishes are not relevant and pragmatic. 
-- Leaders and faith formators are not well equipped to communicate the faith. 
-- Catholic apologetics are not taught to our children as part of their formation.

Suggestions
-- Important to involve the priest.
-- On-going formation for all.
-- Affordable, relevant and well planned formations. 
-- Establish certificate and training programmes for all. 
-- Catholic Schools and Catholic Universities to be established. 
-- Intensive pastoral care with formation.

Integral Human Development

Positives
-- Involved in outreach to the poor and the marginalised. 
-- Address and engage on issues of injustice, indifference and complacency.
-- To be more proactive in matters of social concern

Negatives
-- Lack outreach to the marginalised.

Suggestions
-- More efforts to reach out to the needy.
--  To be more proactive in matters of social concern
--  To collaborate with people of other faiths.
--  Need to dialogue in a respectful manner.
-- To find ways to evoke a spirit of consciousness and empathy amongst the faithful.

Youth

Positives
-- Opportunities for greater participation in programmes.
-- Formation on areas related to life, personal growth and spirituality.
-- Understanding between adults and youths.

Negatives
-- Poor participation of youth in the parish and BECs. 
-- Mass is not a lived experience, therefore not impactful.
-- Sense of obligation as long as they are living with their parents.
-- Lack of structure / impactful programmes after confirmation.

Suggestions
--To provide means by which youth can deepen their spiritual and prayer life to move from religious to authentic spirituality.

Interreligious Dialogue

Positives
--Dialogues of life, religion and culture with people of all faiths.
-- Learning about other religions with a respectful attitude.

Negatives
-- Catholics not well-catechised in their own faith and avoid participating in inter-religous endeavours

Suggestions
--There is still a need for dialogue between Catholics, Christians and people of other faiths.
-- Emphasis on Harmony.

Family

Positives
--Family visits by priests. 
-- Family prayer and family meals. 
-- Family in spreading the gospel. 
-- Family values to be emphasised.

Suggestions
-- Formation on the exhortation of Pope Francis on Amoris Laetitia. 
-- Formation of family life ministry at parish level. 
-- To give support to mixed marriages, single parents, broken marriages and to the divorced.
-- To review the marriage preparation programme. 
-- Integral formation for families.

Social Communications
-- To have a greater understanding of the potentials and limitations on social communication. 
-- Church should use various means of social communication to update the laity on teachings and programmes.
-- To be more creative in evangelisation through social media. 
-- To create a comprehensive social communication system in all languages in the dioceses and parishes 
-- To set up a multilingual communication centre in the dioceses.