Diocesan Resource Team Meeting Focuses on Strengthening Basic Ecclesial Communities Across Deaneries
The Diocesan Resource Team held an online meeting on 15 October 2026 to discuss strategies for forming, strengthening, and expanding Basic Ecclesial Communities (BECs) across the deaneries of the Simla–Chandigarh Diocese.
The meeting focused on promoting BECs as vibrant neighbourhood communities where families come together for prayer, reflection on the Word of God, mutual support, and active participation in the life and mission of the Church.
During the discussion, members emphasized the need to move beyond isolated initiatives and adopt a systematic, deanery-wise approach to establishing and strengthening BECs throughout the diocese. They highlighted the role of BECs in deepening faith through regular prayer and Scripture sharing, fostering closer relationships among families, encouraging greater lay participation, and extending pastoral care to the poor, the sick, and those on the margins of society.
As a concrete step towards this goal, the team resolved that each deanery would identify at least two parishes to function as model BEC parishes. These parishes would serve as centres of learning and inspiration, enabling other parishes within their respective deaneries to adopt and implement the BEC model effectively.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to building the Church as a community of communities, rooted in neighbourhood-level communion, participation, and mission. The Diocesan Resource Team will continue to guide and accompany the deaneries in this pastoral endeavour.
Rev. Fr. Stephan Masih
Secretary, Basic Ecclesial Community
