Quito (Fides Service) - Since June this year, Loja diocese situated about 600 km south of Quito, has undertaken a door to door mission involving 1,500 lay Catholics, who evangelise families and individuals. Before starting their mission, which they carry out in pairs, the missioners follow a course of two or three weeks. "The aim of the mission is to strengthen the faith of the people in our diocese" said Fr Holger Pincay, coordinator. "We are deeply concerned for the drop of participation in the Sacraments, and in numbers of vocations, and also the growing presence of religious sects". Missions of two weeks have been completed by 28 missionaries in various parts of Loja, and another 100 have completed their work in the missionary zone of Catacocha. (Fides Service 21/11/2002)
America/Ecuador - Info: diocese of Loja (Pontifical Year Book 2002)
Area: 11.476 sq. km; population: 522.031; Catholics: 511.446; parishes: 70; diocesan priests: 82; religious priests: 28; major seminarians: 63; brothers.: 61; sisters: 255; schools: 62; charity institutions: 12. (Fides Service 21/11/2002)