With a collection called “Delegados de la Palabra”, the Catholic organization MIVA (Missions-Verkehrs-Arbeitsgemeinschaft) intends to support catechists in the young Churches in Africa and Latin America, where most parishes to which they are assigned cover very extensive territories, with many widely separated villages. In these villages it is especially lay catechists who devote themselves to the religious assistance of the population: not only do they proclaim and explain the Gospel, but they also visit the sick or offer their services to those in need. In these regions, where there is no public transport, the cycle is often the most important means of transport. With the funds collected in its fund-raising campaign held in 2005, for example, 163 cycles were purchased for 15 parishes in the diocese of Koupela (Burkina Faso) alone, and still there are over 230 lay catechists who have to travel many kilometres on foot. In other dioceses of Africa, too, there is an urgent need for bicycles for the service of evangelization. With its collection “Delegados de la Palabra 2006”, held especially during the Marian celebrations in May in all Austrian parishes, MIVA intends to purchase another hundred or so bikes. Over 80,000 Euros were collected in 2005. MIVA cooperates with over 300 dioceses throughout the world and with missionary congregations in Austria.
