STATEMENT OF RECOMMENDATIONS
3RD NATIONAL WORKSHOP FOR THE BIBLICAL APOSTOLATE
Theme: The Bible in the New Evangelization of the Church
Immaculate Conception College Seminary
Guiguinto, Bulacan
February 15- 18, 1988
Gathered together for the 3rd National Workshop for the Biblical Apostolate on the theme “THE BIBLE IN THE NEW EVANGELIZATION OF THE CHURCH,” we have experienced for three days the enrichment and joy derived from being a Christian community that seeks “not to be served but to serve”( Mark 10:45).
The challenge of this workshop comes from the realization of the actual life situation of the renewal groups, the youth, the poor and the tribal communities. We took the words of Pope John Paul II, who said: “the New Evangelization must have two characteristics: it must be greatly inspired by Vatican II, by its teachings, by its orientation.” As a result, we came up with these recommendations:
I. Fundamentalism
1. That the ECBA publication, “Sharing God’s Word” provide a section for articles regarding fundamentalism which can be reprinted in leaflet forms and translated into vernacular languages by the Regional Centers.
2. That all Bible centers continue and intensify the study on implementation of the Constitution on Divine Revelation “Dei Verbum” of Vatican II.
3. That Bible Centers make maximum use of mass media in promoting the Word of God.
II. Renewal Groups
1. That the ECBA establish or strengthen links with renewal movements; and that on the diocesan and parochial levels, Bible promoters work with renewal groups.
2. That Bible Centers exchange materials with renewal groups.
III. Youth
1. That the Bible centers establish or strengthen links with the youth commission or committees at the national, diocesan and parochial levels particularly on the implementation of Youth Encounter programs.
2. That youth representatives to the National Workshops for the Biblical Apostolate be increased.
3. That all Diocesan Bible Centers respond to the need of organized youth groups for Biblical Spirituality.
IV. The Poor
1. That the Bible centers establish and strengthen links with Church-based groups working for the poor.
2. That all workers in the Biblical Apostolate:
a. approach the poor not only as evangelizers but also as persons ready to be evangelized by them;
b. as evangelizers, they should start by doing the Gospel among poor.
3. That Bible Centers facilitate the acquisition of bibles by the impoverished.
V. Tribal Filipinos
That ECBA support the cultural analysis approach of Episcopal Commission on Tribal Filipinos.
VI. Ministry
That the ECBA attend to the ecclesiastical recognition of Bible Institute for lay leaders in the Philippines and that the graduates of these Institute be recognized as Bible Sharing Ministers and Bible Catechists.
We commit ourselves to the realization of these recommendations so that the desired fruit of the New Evangelization in each one of us and consequently on our Christian people and the Philippine society could be attained. This is none other than the vision in the Book of Revelations, “then I saw a new heaven and a new earth….I heard a loud voice speaking from the throne: ‘Now God’s home is with mankind! He will live with them, and they shall be his people, God himself will be with them, and he will wipe away all tears from their eyes. There will be no more death, no more grief or crying or pain, the old things have disappeared.’” (21: la, 3-4)
For the national workshop on the Biblical Apostolate:
+CIRILO R. ALMARIO, JR. D.D.
Bishop of Malolos
Chairman, Episcopal Commission for the Biblical Apostolate