Roman Catholic Mission in Omuthiya, Namibia

An explanation of the Pastoral Region concept of de-centralation: Most of the Catholics in the Archdiocese live in the northern part of the country. They live in rural villages and subsist by raising cattle, goats, and growing some corn and barley for their own use. They are isolated in these distant villages with no cars or modern transportation. Therefore, the Church must be brought to them; they do not have the mobility themselves to travel distances to receive the sacraments or attend mass. In response to this pastoral situation, the Archdiocese now operates with three pastoral layers of ministry. At the top is the Roman Catholic Mission which is staffed by two or more priests; then under the Mission are the Roman Catholic Parishes which are staffed by Deacons; then under the Parishes are the Roman Catholic Communities which are headed by Lay Leaders. This de-centralized arrangement enables the Archdiocese to provide pervasive pastoral care to these large numbers of isolated Catholics.