GENERAL ASSESSMENT OF THE DIOCESE

GENERAL ASSESSMENT OF THE DIOCESE
Strengths and Weaknesses
There are two visible strengths found in the Diocese. First is its proper channeling through the organizational chart. Second is the strengthened program for basic ecclesial communities. Within the Basic Ecclesial Community (BEC), there is a practice of love offering. The purpose of this love offering is to support somehow the programs and apostolate of the parishes and of the Diocese in general. The basic ecclesial community is also an effective instrument for the education of the believers regarding the Church’s new updates and newly implemented programs. Moreover, BEC has been a good venue for the spiritual growth of the believer and which form them also into a united community the mission of which is patterned to that of the Church particularly to the Church or Diocese of Tandag.
On the other hand, however, there are three main weaknesses of the Diocese which may threat its effective functioning. First is the matter of geographical location. The distances between parishes are apparently affecting the communication and the implementation of the Diocesan program for different apostolates. Secondly, the different orientations, point of views due to their different seminary backgrounds are seen as one problem to realize the vision and mission of the Diocese. The age gap of the priests between the old and the younger generation create conflicts and division which sometimes affects the Diocese to move into a straight direction. There are priests who are silent in the issue happening in their parishes just to maintain their attachment to the political leaders in that place who are involved in these issues. While other group of priests are in conflict with these leaders as they conform to what the Church believes to be right. Thirdly, being financially unstable, the Diocese found itself in difficulties to mobilize programs and activities in line with their apostolates. And the sad reality even is that those people who were involved in the issue that the Diocese is trying to address like mining are the same people who are willing to give big amount of donations to the Church.