Francisco Claver is a well-known Filipino Jesuit bishop who holds a doctorate in anthropology and has served two dioceses for twenty-five years [Malaybalay (1969-1984) and Bontoc-Lagawe (1995-2004)] as well as being a regular professor at the East Asian Pastoral Institute.  In recent years the bishop made San Jose Major Seminary in Quezon City his home.  Claver brings his vast experience and perceptive insights together in his recent book The Making of a Local Church, originally published by Orbis Books of Maryknoll, New York (2008) and in a Philippine edition by Jesuit Communications and Claretian Publications (2009).  

In a brief, succinct description, Claver describes his book: “I have no trouble saying this work is all about efforts at bringing about a Vatican II church.”  He further expands his purview by noting: “There is no other way for us Asians to evangelize our continent and its people, to do pastoral work among them, than through our becoming truly and determinedly active local churches.”

The urgency and commitment to truly becoming a genuine local church repeatedly emerge through Claver’s narrative and his sharing of poignant, first-hand experiences of what he terms his “thirty-five years of episcopating.”  He captures much of Philippine history and culture in an early chapter entitled “The Locus of the Church in the Philippines.”  In the ten other chapters, Claver unfolds his personal pilgrimage with his people as they collaborate to build “discerning communities” that flourish through “participative leadership.”  As one journeys with Claver, the strong conviction emerges that these phrases are more than popular buzzwords; this is an ecclesial vision that begs embodiment!  And, Claver invitingly shows just how this genesis of “authentic local churches” is accomplished.

Speaking in broad strokes, three germinal ideas from the Second Vatican Council (dialogue, participation, and co-responsibility) emerge as the bedrock of Claver’s vision of a renewed church.  He consistently and forcefully interweaves them, drawing upon his theological and anthropological acumen as well as pastoral praxis and communal discernment.  Church leaders, relying on the guidance of the Holy Spirit, are to put the aggiornamento teachings of Vatican II into practice, and this is best achieved by forming faith communities at all levels of the church.

In chapter seven, the longest of all, devoted to “Basic Ecclesial Communities” (BECs), the author lays out the essentials of BECs.  For example, Claver illumines eight key elements and activities that are unique to BECs; he describes the various kinds of BECs (liturgical, developmental, and liberational) and the stages of their development.  The bishop explores BEC leadership, opposition to their growth, and discernment in the BECs.  In this well-crafted chapter, one finds a synthetic integration of Claver’s most profound insights—valid for the Philippines as well as local churches worldwide.

Readers will profit much from Claver’s insights on inculturation, social change, spirituality, solidarity, aggiornamento and pastoral renewal, particularly as they contribute to the process of ecclesiogenesis.  The author has many experiential insights regarding the Synod of Bishops in Rome and the Second Plenary Council of the Philippines.  Not to be missed are Claver’s narratives from “our farmer-theologians” and the “people of simple faith.”

  

This reviewer can personally testify to the depth and validity of the insights offered by Claver.  In this vademecum [personal companion or handbook] for pastoral leaders, one hears the voice of a shepherd, exuding pastoral sensitivity coupled with competent leadership, guiding God’s people to become a genuine local church ad majorem Dei gloriam.  

In the Philippine edition of The Making of a Local Church one finds an enlightening and laudatory forward by Archbishop Orlando B. Quevedo, O.M.I. of Cotabato.  He asserts that Claver “has written a truly exceptional book,” a work that “is exceedingly helpful for every member of the Church, laity, religious, priests and Bishops.”  This reviewer fully agrees with Quevedo’s evaluation when he writes: “This wonderful book demonstrates why I personally consider Francisco F. Claver, S.J., one of the most outstanding Church leaders in the Philippines in the past fifty years.”  Indeed, Bishop Claver deserves both profound recognition and heartfelt gratitude for his unique and lasting contribution to the local Church of the Philippines: A sincere word of thanks to you, Bishop Cisco!

-  James H. Kroeger, M.M.

For more about The Making of a Local Church (ordering information, etc.), click here.