AMERICA/VENEZUELA - The synergy between the Archdiocese of Maracaibo and the Pontifical Mission Societies for the territory of La Guajira

Riohacha (Agenzia Fides) – Strengthening indigenous pastoral care, training lay people, and promoting sustainable social projects that improve the quality of life of indigenous communities in terms of access to water, education, and health: these are some of the urgent challenges facing the ecclesial community in the Venezuelan region of La Guajira. These challenges were also the focus of a week of missionary formation launched at the beginning of August by the Archdiocese of Maracaibo in collaboration with the Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) in Venezuela.
Representatives of the parishes of Guarero, Sinamaica, Paraguaipoa, La Sierrita, Tamare, and Santa Cruz de Mara participated in the initiative, which aimed to evaluate the Pontifical Mission Societies' cooperation projects in this vast territory and to initiate new initiatives between the parishes. The training program was received with enthusiasm and interest by the parish priests and local communities.
During the week, during which the School for Missionary Animators (ESAM) and the School for Missionary Children and Adolescents (IAM) took place almost simultaneously, meetings with the staff of the Pontifical Mission Societies, training sessions, and shared prayers were scheduled.
The La Guajira region has a complex pastoral and social reality. From a pastoral perspective, the Church in this area is confronted with the geographical distance between parishes and the lack of local priests. Despite these difficulties, the faith of the people living there is expressed in active participation in liturgical celebrations and Marian devotion.
From a social perspective, this region is characterized by the presence of the indigenous Wayuu community, whose deeply rooted culture coexists with the challenges of modernity. The insecurity of basic supplies of drinking water, electricity, and healthcare, combined with economic difficulties and a high rate of emigration, creates a situation that requires continuous support from various institutions.
The ecclesial community, in collaboration with other institutions, therefore seeks to accompany processes of social transformation and promote the human and pastoral development of the communities. (EG) (Agenzia Fides, 9/8/2025)

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