The Diocese of Mpika in Zambia is distributing bicycles to catechists to assist in their pastoral duties throughout the diocese.
The 114 bicycles have been purchased with support from Aid to the Church in Need and are in addition to motorcycles purchased at the end of 2021.
At the presentation ceremony on 21 March, Bishop Edwin Mwansa Mulandu of Mpika acknowledged the crucial role of catechists and assured them of his constant prayers and support for their work.
Bishop Mpika’s vicar-general, Fr Vito Milandile, said that “over the years catechists have done a commendable job in communicating Christ, in implanting the faith and in bringing about the transforming and regenerative power of the Gospel in the lives of the people of God”.
He added that language barriers, and rough terrain, are some of the challenges that can make a priest's ministry difficult at times, so the role of local catechists is invaluable in many parts of Africa.
In his speech, Fr Milandile recalled how catechists have been the right-hand men and women accompanying expatriate missionaries in Zambia in pastoral work. He urged the catechists to protect their new bicycles and motorbikes and he thanked Aid to the Church in Need for providing them.
In a vote of thanks, the Catechist Association Representative Stephen Chipasha thanked the diocese for empowering catechists to go about their mission even more effectively.
“Catechists are very instrumental in the diocese’s pastoral ministry, they help to prepare the people of God via catechesis before the celebration of the Sacraments,” he said.
He added that catechists “take care of the sub-parishes, and conduct prayer services, among many other pastoral duties”.
With a shortfall of priests to cover all the diocese’s parishes and outstations, coupled with a challenging geographical terrain, catechists, he said, play a pivotal role in evangelisation.
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