CaBPAG Objectives
Catholic Building Professional Advisory Group
History and Background
The Catholic Building Professional Advisory Group (CaBPAG) is a group of building professionals formed under the Diocesan Building and Development Commission (DBDC). CaBPAG was formally set up on 27 May 2006. Within CaBPAG, there are various Working Groups to provide professional advice to the Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong.
The formation of CaBPAG was initiated by a small group of Catholic engineers in 2004. This idea was discussed in the Research and Development Committee (R&DC) of the DBDC. A preparatory committee consisting of representatives of DBDC and Catholic building professionals, such as Architects, Engineers of various disciplines and Planners, was formed in 2005. A broad framework was then formulated as the working basis to take the proposal to fruition. After extensive consultation in late 2005 with the various stakeholders, including the Priest Council, eight deaneries and other Catholic councils in the Diocese, a publicity programme was launched in early 2006, followed by a recruitment exercise from March to May 2006 which attracted a total of over 50 building professionals, including Architects, Engineers of various disciplines, Quantity Surveyors and Planners.
St. Francis of Assisi has been identified as our patron saint in recognition of his lifetime dedication to building and prospering the church as well as his talented mastery and innovative design in the construction of church buildings.
Objectives
CaBPAG is set up with a view to bringing together volunteers to provide professional advice to the Church on building related matters. The objective is to enrich our spiritual life and fellowship for inner sanctification through services, workshops, retreats, sharing and pilgrimages, so as to achieve the following 3'S' key mission: to serve, share and sanctify.
- Services - To enshrine our Catholic spirit and make the Church more visible through serving with our gifted talents and potential.
'We shall aim to make the Church more visible and become the salt and light of the world.' (Matthew 5:13-16)
- Sharing - It is only through fellowship sharing and recreational pursuits that we can face challenges to our Catholic faith, offer mutual support in personal growth and enlightenment, find relief from daily pressures and rediscover our inner self.
'And be thankful. Christ's message in all its richness must live in your hearts. Teach and instruct one another with all wisdom.' (Colossians 3:15-16)
- Sanctification - Through serving the church and sharing experiences, we shall sanctify and transform ourselves to answer the divine call and spread the Good News.
'And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be consecrated in truth.' (John 17:19)
Role and Function
The primary role of CaBPAG is to provide professional advice to the Diocese on Church premises, building, engineering, development and related matters including property and building management, maintenance and improvement, compliance with Government regulations and requirements, construction contracts and liability issues. The services provided would be purely advisory and on a need-basis, without compromising the functions of existing set-ups at the DBDC Administration, deanery and parish levels.
CaBPAG could also be regarded as an appropriate forum for seeking comments and views as its members are experienced professionals from all walks of life. Assuming different roles in the community, public and private sectors, as well as in the family, they also form an excellent basis for seeking views and advice on various religious and social issues of interest to the Diocese, Church leaders and clergy. Through seminars and sharing sessions on specific social issues, CaBPAG can perform a secondary role as venue for consultation in co-ordinating opinions for consideration by the Church, so as to better respond to the secular public and media.