Three Motorized Rickshaws for Pastoral Work in Colombia 

The Apostolic Vicariate of Mitú lies in the Amazon region of eastern Colombia, in an area covering over 21,000 square miles (54,000 km²). Roughly a third of its population lives in the town of Mitú, and the remainder are scattered throughout the jungle-clad region. The majority of them belong to one of the 26 different indigenous tribal groups, each with its own language and its own particular customs.  

Pastoral outreach is difficult here, due to vast distances, and the Church also lacks the resources needed to proclaim the Gospel. The infrastructure is, not surprisingly, poor, and the road conditions are bad. There is almost nothing but narrow tracks, negotiable only on foot. It can take several days to reach many of these indigenous rainforest settlements.  

At the same time, however, it is vital for the Church to be close to the people, since there are many social problems, including suicides. The people need intensive support and care. The local Church also encourages local vocations to the priesthood and to the permanent diaconate, as well as the formation of catechists. For nowhere are the words of the Lord truer than here in the Amazon region: that “the harvest is great, but the labourers are few” (Lk10:2). And the priests and catechists must be able to visit the people themselves.  

Bishop Medardo de Jesús Henao del Río, the Apostolic Vicar of Mitú, has told us that what would be helpful is if the Church could obtain motorized rickshaws, which could carry several people. Three such vehicles would be an enormous help for the pastoral work in this area, since they are ideally suited to the conditions of the road and are a secure and effective means of transportation. We have promised him $13,861 for their purchase. 

Will you join us in helping the faithful of Colombia?  

Code: 214-08-29