What are the characteristics of the basic ecclesiastical community?

Answer 1

they are not true particular churches (the protestant churches), the church in the proper sense exists where the episcopal office exists and is the sacramental expression of apostolic succession, and since they have invalid bishops, they can't be genuine particular churches, therefore the term ecclesiastical community is employed to designate that distinction.

Answer 2

The "essential characteristics" of the Church are known as the four marks of the Church. They are listed in the Nicene Creed (only two of which are listed in the Apostles Creed) and include:

One - in belief, leadership, worship and morals

Holy - able to sanctify and raise virtuous and holy members

Catholic - found everywhere with the same belief and teachings

Apostolic - having succession from the apostles and thus retaining the legitimate authority and jurisdiction to preach and manage the Christian religion.

Early Christians used these marks in order to avoid novelties, heresy and discern the legitimacy of edicts issued by temporal governments that may conflict with belief or morals. They are still used today as signs of discovering the true Christian Church by potential converts and the Faithful.

Answer 3

Basic Ecclesial Communities (BECs), also called Basic Christian Communities, Small Christian Communities. Some contend that the movement has its origin and inspiration from Liberation Theology in Latin America. However, many would regard the emergence of BECs as part of the concrete realization of the communitarian model of the Church (as Communion and as People of God) promoted by the Second Vatican Council. The communities are considered as a new way of "being the Church"- the Church at the grassroots, in the neighborhood and villages. The earliest communities emerged in Brazil and in the Philippines in the late 1960s and later spread to Africa, Asia and in recent times in Australia and North America.