Ministry Training in Mozambique

In 2018 St Augustine’s Foundation awarded a grant, over three years, to support on the job training for clergy, catechists and group leaders in the Diocese of Lebombo. In April 2020 they reported on the work they had undertaken in the first two years.

In all 81 clergy and 336 catechists benefited from the two courses they mounted in 8 different locations across the diocese. The areas of learning covered in these courses ranged from liturgy, leadership skills, pastoral care, vision building, use of the lectionary and congregational planning.

The impact on those attending was encapsulated in the reflections of three of the participants. The courses “contributed a lot to my spiritual growth, performance in the family, in the church and in society in general”. “Being new at the clergy in the diocese, and freshly coming out of the seminary and just a couple of months after being ordained; clergy school was very insightful and helpful to be able to listen and learn more of the practical side of my ministry”. “We were able to learn skills that help us to capacitate our own congregations and ourselves.” “Continuing Education is an opportunity for the clergy to debate and better interpret the current phenomena of life, thus allowing an appropriate pastoral response to the time and environment in which they exercise their ministry”.