A Vehicle for a Parish in Peru
The Diocese of Huancavelica is one of the poorest in Peru, lying at an altitude of nearly 13,000 feet in the Andes mountains. It has 28 parishes and 49 priests.
In that diocese, the Parish of Acombamba includes over 90 villages and a population of 10,000 people, roughly half of whom identify as Catholic. But they are widely scattered, and it is difficult for the parish’s two priests to reach them, especially since the roads they use are rough and unpaved. During the rainy season, many are not safe, due to ruts, stones, and gullies. And there is no form of public transportation.
Father Guido Molina Letona and his assistant priest do have a car, but it is over 12 years old and worn out by the difficult roads. As a result, the priests have to hitch a ride on local delivery vehicles or sometimes even travel on foot to visit communities.
For many people, understanding of the faith is limited, even with the priests managing to visit at least once a month, celebrating Holy Mass, as well as administering the Sacrament of the Sick and preparing people for the sacraments. Still, this close pastoral care is bearing fruit, as more Catholics in this part of Peru return to the faith.
Now, in Acombamba, an average of 200 people attend Sunday Mass, while about 150 people attend religious instruction in preparation for Baptism, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation.
And with a suitably robust all-terrain vehicle, it would be much easier to minister consistently and intensively to them. The priests would not waste time or energy on the road, and would therefore have more of both for their pastoral work.
We were happy to promise $23,100 for a four-wheel drive vehicle.
Can you help these priests purchase a car so they can better serve the people in Peru?
We are sure they will remember you in their prayers.
Aid to the Church in Need commits to invest your funds where they will have the greatest impact for the Church that we serve. Funds donated to Aid to the Church in Need’s projects will be used towards the greatest need in our programs to help keep the Faith alive.
