A minibus for pastoral work
The Diocese of Mannar is situated in the northwest of Sri Lanka. A while ago, we received an appeal for help from the Vavuniya deanery, where a vehicle was urgently needed for pastoral work.
The deanery includes 10 separate parishes, each of which serves several smaller villages. Altogether, there are over 16,000 Catholics living here. The distances are considerable, and the terrain is challenging to navigate, being covered in bushland and in some places by jungle.
It was one of the areas particularly hard hit by the terrible civil war that raged from 1983 to 2009. Many people fled and lost all their possessions, while others lost their lives. In many cases, families still don’t know what happened to their abducted loved ones. Some women were raped, and many people are scarred by the atrocities they witnessed.
Many families continue to endure deep material poverty, living a precarious, hand-to-mouth existence as agricultural workers. The pandemic was yet another blow, and the current severe economic crisis, particularly with its rising prices, has made life even more difficult for those who were already struggling.
As always, the Church has stood by the people and brought them hope. But her pastoral outreach has long been difficult. Travelling by motorcycle in this region is dangerous, due to poor roads and the risk of attack by wild animals. What’s more, the priest would normally be accompanied by religious sisters when he visits the villages, as the need for help is so great. A vehicle capable of transporting several people as well as the necessary goods was therefore required.
Thanks to the generosity of our benefactors, we were able to provide the $57,000 required for a minibus, which has arrived safely in Vavuniya and is already being put to good use, travelling to remote villages and delivering aid. The additional support means children and youth can be better prepared for their First Holy Communion and Confirmation, and young couples can be better prepared for Holy Matrimony. There is support for families and counselling for those in difficult life situations, as well as care for the sick and dying. The faithful can now receive the sacraments more frequently and participate more actively in the life of the Church.
The bishop of Mannar has expressed his thanks to all of you who helped make this happen. “I truly appreciate and treasure your support for the Church in need, and I assure all your benefactors of our united prayers. May God bless you all!”
