According to a research institute report in a diocese with a 20-year history of working with the small communities, laypeople have been positive about the help they have received from the small communities. However, there was a lack of communication and no significant improvement over the years. This reality is not only a problem of a particular diocese but a need for measures to revitalize the pastoral community and focus the attention of priests on the movement.
The priest at the head of the Diocesan Pastoral Institute gives the readers of the Catholic Times an introduction to the meaning of the small communities. He hopes all the members of the church will appreciate the importance of the small community program whose members are trying to live the life of the early church practicing evangelical communion and love for neighbor.
It has been 20 years since the pastoral ministry of small communities began in this diocese, however, the path of revitalization is still a long way off. The research report points out that there is a need for improved awareness of small communities by priests as well as believers. The parishioners in the small communities generally give a positive evaluation of the small community movement more so than the priests.
'Communication' is an important topic throughout society and the report makes clear that with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, all members of the church need to work together, respect each other's words and consider together how to strengthen the small communities.
The Diocesan Pastoral Institute published a research report that was conducted from October 2018 to April 2019. Based on a survey of a total of 1701 people. According to the report, both priests and lay believers did not think that communication between parish members was sufficiently carried out in the process of establishing the Basic Christian Community.
On the question for the reason and purpose of small communities, the priests scored low. It was found that the reason for establishing the small communities was not accurately understood.
The priests were not strongly supportive of the pastoral reality of the small community movement. In particular, the pastors regarded the small community pastoral reality more negatively than the assistant priests and those in special works. Priests responded that the small community was not very helpful in activating the parish community as a whole.
On the other hand, in the case of lay people, unlike the priests, they assessed that they were receiving positive help in their religious life by participating in the small community movement. In terms of helping Christian life: high scores were given to the formation of a sense of belonging, bonding of the parish community, maturity of faith life and more active participation in the life of the church.
Regarding the future of small communities priests gave a negative outlook, saying: "After more than 20 years of experience, we no longer need to make the small community the central pastoral concern of the diocese." Nevertheless, if the pastoral ministry continues, it is necessary to present various pastoral models considering the reality of the parish.
In contrast, the laypeople were positive about the future of small communities. Since the small communities are the pastoral vision of the diocese the bishop and priests need to continue to pay special attention to the movement. The small communities are attempting to live the essential life of a Christian and special attention needs to be given to efforts to improve. Besides, when priests are sent to a parish those who are interested in the movement should be sent. The laypeople are demanding awareness of the small communities by the diocese and priests to revitalize the small communities.
The head of the Diocesan Pastoral Research Institute, said: "The research showed that the awareness of the priests and the need for continuous education are necessary."
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