SOUTH SUDAN: Hundreds of unpaid catechists in South Sudan given annual gift as thank you

An army of catechists are working in South Sudan for no pay to support communities who have no money.

Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) has responded to the needs of the Diocese of Rumbek who reached out wanting to support the hundreds of lay people who work for them for free.

Now thanks to donations from ACN benefactors, these catechists have been given one food basket a year during the “lean season”, which the diocese says, keeps them “free from starvation”.

Since 2011 when the country became independent, South Sudan has been impacted by political conflict, economic woes, drought, violence and food shortages.

Bishop Christian Carlassare, of Rumbek, told ACN: “I have a great concern for our catechists. As the diocese we have been providing very little support in form of stipends.”

His Diocese includes the whole territory of Lakes State and the southern part of Warrap State – a territory of around 38,525 sq miles (65,000 sq km) – which is bigger than Switzerland.

There are only 14 diocesan priests, two Fidei Donum priests from Suwon, South Korea – priests sent from their dioceses to serve in mission territories are a ‘gift of faith’ from their home diocese – 21 religious priests and around 375 lay people who work as catechists.

Bishop Carlassare said: “I am really concerned by the difficulties the catechists face like any other South Sudanese.

“They generously dedicate their time to serve the church by teaching catechism, celebrating the liturgy of word, visiting the sick and elderly and other church services.

“I acknowledge the work they do in the parishes is voluntary, but they have family to care for.”

Under Bishop Carlassare the diocese trains catechists are a link between local people and clergy.

Many of the catechists travel long distances to visit small remote communities and often represent the church to the people.

They help translate texts into local languages especially during Masses and other religious activities.

They visit the sick and elderly, prepare students for sacraments, celebrate the liturgy of the word when there is no priest to say Mass.

In the absence of an ordained minister they conduct funerals and other church ceremonies and help the missionaries by translating for them during Mass and other church meetings.

But the parishioners that the catechists serve in the parishes live in poverty and can’t help them financially.

The bishop has financial obligations to the diocese, such as paying staff, but not enough to fund the catechists which is why he wanted to reward them with an annual food parcel of maize flour, beans, cooking oil and salt to keep them motivated.

Bishop Carlassere said: “May God bless you, Aid Church in Need, and all the benefactors for the sacrifices so as to support the needy people in the world.”