Tezpur | July 3, 2026
The 3rd Level Regional Basic Ecclesial Communities (BEC) Training of Trainers (TOT) was inaugurated on July 2, 2026, in Tezpur, bringing together nearly 60 participants from 15 dioceses across North East India. The four-day regional programme will continue until July 5, 2026.
The participants include priests, religious, and lay leaders committed to strengthening the life and mission of the Church through the Basic Ecclesial Communities (BEC) movement. The training aims to equip them with the knowledge, pastoral skills, and leadership needed to animate vibrant Christian communities rooted in faith, communion, participation, and mission.
The programme is designed to deepen participants' understanding of the vision of Basic Ecclesial Communities as small communities of disciples who gather regularly to reflect on the Word of God, celebrate their faith, foster mutual care, and actively participate in the evangelising mission of the Church.
The regional training is organised by the Northeast Regional BEC Commission and is being facilitated by Fr. Clement Ekka, Fr. Michael Mushahary, Fr. Hippoletus Toppo, Sr. Bina Philip, Mr. Stephen Ekka, Mr. Rajesh Tudu, and Mr. John Guria. Through interactive sessions, group discussions, practical workshops, and pastoral sharing, the facilitators are guiding participants to become effective trainers who will accompany and strengthen BEC initiatives in their respective dioceses.
The Training of Trainers reflects the Church's commitment to building synodal communities where clergy, religious, and laity journey together in proclaiming the Gospel. As participants return to their dioceses, they are expected to play a vital role in nurturing Basic Ecclesial Communities as living centres of prayer, fellowship, service, and missionary outreach throughout the region.
The programme highlights the Northeast Church's continuing commitment to building a participatory, synodal, and mission-oriented Church by equipping local communities to become vibrant witnesses of Christ in today's world. It is a significant step toward realizing the BEC Vision 2033, which envisions that by the year 2033, every parish in Northeast India will be served by vibrant and well-established Basic Ecclesial Communities (BECs), fostering deeper communion, participation, and missionary discipleship.
Report: Fr. Hippolytus Toppo