Father Raymond A. Kevane, national director for Papal Volunteers for Latin American, says the program has “limped a little” because of its newness but has been a success because of the efforts of lay volunteers.

“The PAVLA movement, organized in 1960, represents the first time in the history of the Catholic Church in America that large numbers of lay men and women and the secular clergy have gone into an international apostolate, he said at a meeting Tuesday of diocesan PAVLA directors at St. Joseph’s Infirmary. “In this sense I would agree with Archbishop Vagnozzi (apostolic delegate to the U.S.) that it has been a brilliant page in history.”

At the same time, Father Kevane added, “We have to consider the newness of the movement—and there have been mistakes. Historically, every movement that is great is founded on charity and brotherhood. It is common in their beginnings that the movements ‘limp a little’, but I don’t want to emphasize this because these errors have not been as serious as implied.”

Father Kevane was referring to a recent statement by Msgr. Ivan Illich, who questioned the effectiveness of aid to Latin America, and wrote “many (successful Americans) fail to ask whether the ethic of the ‘achieving society’ is suited to the needs of contemporary Latin America.”

In reply to Msgr. Illich, Father Kevane said, “I think the statement is entirely too sweeping. It is a generalization that implies that every kind of North American aid that has been poured into the countries to wrong-and simply that every North American that has this attitude is wrong.”

Shortly after his appointment as director of PAVLA, Father Kevane toured Latin American countries for three months. “We follow the judgments of the Latin American bishops and authorities—as to what projects they need, and what programs in their judgement are necessary to strengthen their countries—whether in the areas of medical, socioeconomic, education, coop programs or missionary work.”

By recruiting and placing volunteers where thy are needed, PAVLA recognizes that “we are to assist in the development of the Latin American nations; it is always implicit in this program that the personnel work with Latin Americans to help them develop their own culture and heritage,” the priest said.

How do the Latin American bishops and authorities view the PAVLA movement? Father Kevane said, “We have had close contacts with them during the past two years, and they are with us.”

In the two years that PAVLA volunteers have worked in Chi-13, Bishop Pineira wrote that they have accomplished two major goals: 1. The laymen between the ages of 20-30 were becoming involved in the work of the Church in their country. 2. As a result of their enthusiasm and efforts, the Chilean Bishop’s Conference recognized the need to reactivate the dormant work of the lay apostolate in their country.

Three hundred volunteers are serving in PAVLA projects in Latin America now, and there are “the last time I counted” 2,000 requests, said the priest. One field representative wrote Father Kevane recently that “no matter what I do—hide in the house, or travel, I keep getting more requests.”

Volunteers are asked to stay in the program for three years, because, as Father Kevane explained, “A person cannot begin his most effective work until he has been there at least two years and learns to understand the culture and language. It can sound like a long time perhaps to person thinking of intercultural service. But to those people who are there, the time seems incredibly short.”

PAVLA trains volunteers on a diocesan and national level, and in-service training is offered when they arrive in the country. The volunteers are distributed in all areas—from teaching in wealthy schools, to working in slums or country villages. The requirements for personnel are set by the Latin American authorities who request the volunteers. “In PAVLA, we are dealing with the role of laymen in the mission of the Church in foreign countries. PAVLA serves a double purpose—it involves the laymen who assume through their profession and skills apostolic work. They exercise through their work a Christian influence,” Father Kevane said.

“As long as we retain the idea of the people of God, we will achieve this apostolic action,” said Father Kevane. “The Holy Father made a plea to laymen to exercise decisions and influence his resourcefulness and energy. The American bishops transmitted this plea, and it is through actions like PAVLA that one day we will realize the full action of the lay apostolates.”