Around the world today, many Priests and religious are braving the odds and risking their lives to take the gospel to far-flung and unreached communities.
Fr. Samuel Tswam, a priest of the Catholic Diocese of Jalingo in Taraba State, Nigeria is one of such Priests. He takes care of the flock at St. Anthony Pastoral Area, Dampar, a riverine area with 28 other parish outstations that can only be accessible by boat.
“My journey in and out of Dampar is 97% on water yet depended on the few Muslims with local canoe constructions, and I can only move if they are willing and disposed to move. I have to travel 5-7 hours on water before accessing the federal road at Tella.”, he tells Aid to the Church in Need in a message.
According to Fr. Samuel, even the local canoes which are available occasionally, are usually of very low quality and have capsized a number of times with him on it. Thanks be to God, he was rescued each time.
Due to this challenge, Fr. Samuel cannot travel to carry out his pastoral duties as the need requires of him, and so a great number of the faithful is still unreached, despite his efforts.
He puts it this way:
“My experience thus far being a pastor in this community is a mixed feeling: Joy – in the sense that I am found worthy to minister to these people just as Jesus travelled on water preaching and teaching. Sadness –that a great number of the flock of Christ are unattended to”
As it stands, Fr. Samuel’s urgent need is to have access to an affordable flying boat to enable him carry out his pertinent pastoral work.
Through the kind donations of our benefactors, ACN supports priests like Fr. Samuel who are ministering to the faithful in some of the world’s most challenging places by providingfinancial assistance, means of transportation and much more.
Are you inspired to help Fr. Samuel reach out to his poor and waiting flock? We would be happy to hear from you. Contact us on 21487818 or info@acnmalta.org.
