114 bicycles for catechists in a rural diocese
Almost everywhere in Africa, priests can count on catechists who offer crucial support. Indeed, in the many geographically extensive parishes, it is the catechists who teach and help people grow in their faith, often in very remote villages. They also help prepare them for the reception of the sacraments and gather with the faithful to pray.
This is also the case in the Diocese of Mpika in Northeast Zambia. With an area of over 86,000 km², it is larger than Austria, yet has only 18 parishes, with vast distances between them. Furthermore, it is situated in a rural area with very poor roads. Many places are isolated and difficult to access. Despite this, the diocese has a dedicated training centre for catechists, since their work is so important for the Church.
Facilitating volunteer engagement for the love of God!
Bishop Edwin Mwansa Mulandu requested our help because he urgently needed 114 bicycles for his diocesan catechists. Thanks to the generosity of our benefactors, we were able to provide the $33,120 required to enable these catechists, who “stand on the very front line,” to “help their priests mobilize the people and revive their flagging pastoral zeal,” as the bishop puts it. More than half of these catechists work as unpaid volunteers. The bicycles have made their work much easier and more effective, enabling them to travel more quickly from one village to another.
There is great rejoicing among them, and we now wish to pass on their thanks to everyone who contributed. “We are sincerely grateful for this gesture of love and solidarity in this, our one mission of Jesus Christ. In acquiring these bicycles, the catechists have been motivated to continue doing what they know best, namely dedicating their lives to the spread of the Gospel in a remote and difficult area,” says Bishop Mulandu.
