Volume 34 No. 3 | Spring 2024 4 Society Matters The SVD in South America The Divine Word Missionaries are present in eight countries in South America. In this edition of Society Matters we provide an overview of the range of SVD ministries and development activities across the different countries and peoples of this incredible continent. Quibdó and Montería, and the archdioceses of Medellín, Cali and Bogotá. The SVD takes care of 11 parishes and works to bring the missionary charism to life in each of them. ECUADOR Divine Word Missionaries in Ecuador are strongly committed to the local churches, serving 13 parishes. The SVD reaches out to many who benefit from its ministry, such as children and parents in family catechesis programs, and also runs formation programs for youth and for the catechists and animators who serve parish communities. Divine Word Missionaries attend to the sick, the elderly and the migrants in the country. The SVD calls for those who pay attention to human rights, especially in rural areas. It also operates medical dispensaries and works toward the prevention of drug addiction. BRAZIL Brazil is the fifth most populous country on the planet and accounts for one third of all the inhabitants of Latin America. The SVD’s missionary collaboration with the local church occurs in 13 dioceses. The Divine Word Missionaries are integrated into the local churches through parish ministry and especially focuses their effort on the mission to the indigenous people of the Amazon. BOLIVIA Bolivia has three regions: Plateau, Valleys and the East. Twenty per cent of the population lives in extreme poverty. In the area of social work, Divine Word Missionaries are ministering through many centres, including a partnership with CINCA, a nonprofit institute for street children in El Fr Jozef Gwozdzz SVD - Panama A Guarani cross - Paraguay ARGENTINA In Argentina, the main task of Divine Word Missionaries centres on the pastoral care of some 24 parishes in four dioceses. In the area of education, the Divine Word Missionaries operate the Roque González Institute. The SVD’s missionary presence is identified with aboriginal ministry, and one missionary is dedicated solely to this work. Even though many families in SVD parishes suffer from a lack of social, economic and educational benefits, the Divine Word Missionaries are still able to observe the strength of organisational solidarity. COLOMBIA In Colombia there is not enough work for everyone. For this reason, many Colombians decide to go to foreign lands, especially the United States. This migration flow has contributed to drug trafficking on an international level and continues to be a social curse that harms all Colombians. Divine Word Missionaries are working in the dioceses of The faithful in an SVD outstation in Argentina
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