Ongoing Training for 300 Catechists in Ethiopia

The apostolic vicariate of Hawassa (Awassa) is in southern Ethiopia and covers a vast region of approximately 45,560 square miles, or roughly one-third the size of Germany.

The vicariate is divided into just 20 parishes, each of which covers numerous villages, many of them extremely remote in isolated and inaccessible areas. Some of these villages have a chapel of their own, since the nearest parish church is simply too far away.

In most of these small villages, it is only possible to celebrate Holy Mass every two or three weeks at best, since the few priests of the vicariate simply cannot be in two places at once. Consequently, every chapel community has its own lay catechist, who prays with the people, instructs the children, young people, and adults in the Catholic faith and celebrates prayer meetings and services of the Word – sometimes being permitted by the bishop to also distribute Holy Communion. Hence these catechists play an extremely important role in transmitting the faith and supporting the people in their prayer.

Clearly, if they are to pass on the faith in all its integrity, these catechists need to be thoroughly well-trained themselves. Above all, it is important for them to be able to help the young people become strongly rooted in their faith, since otherwise, there is a real danger that they will be wooed away by the very active sects. Many of the catechists still have an inadequate grounding in theology, teaching, and pastoral skills. And so many of those in the vicariate of Hawassa have expressed a desire to be given further training so that they can better fulfill their service within the communities. But this comes at a cost, of course.

The plan is for 300 of them to take part in an intensive ongoing training course at the catechetical center in Dongora. The cost for each participant will be something over $67 – a very modest sum – but nevertheless, the total of $20,471 is far more than the vicariate can afford. And so the bishop has turned to us for help. Thousands of the faithful will ultimately benefit from this training. Would you be willing to cover the cost of one or more of these catechists?

118-07-49