GKK: A Pastoral Priority

The Second Archdiocesan Pastoral Assembly of Davao (APAD II) which was held in May 1994, adopted the Gagmay’ng Kristohanong Katilingban (GKK) as a pastoral priority. Consequently, a commission formulated the GKK Norms and Guidelines in 1996 to strengthen coordination of programs and activities in the Archdiocese.

After 18 years, the first part of the said GKK Norms and Guidelines have been clarified, assessed and evaluated last May 26-28 with the bishops, clergy and lay leaders. The second part which talks about the Sacraments will be tackled this coming July 21-22 at the Ascension of the Lord Parish. But this time with the clergy only since the topic will be on the sacraments.

The general objective is to come up with proposed formulation on the guidelines and norms on the sacraments of baptism, marriage, Eucharist and other sacraments and new realities that affect the GKKs.

After presenting the consolidated output from the vicariates and consultations, feedback will follow to resolve differing opinions and new proposals.

As GKKs are ministered to regularly by lay leaders, we salute them for their greatness. Their exercise of the priestly, kingly and prophetic mission of Christ makes the Church alive as they keep themselves united to their pastors.

Indeed, GKKs are a new way of being Church, a vehicle towards liberation for the Kingdom.