Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Manaus (Agenzia Fides) - The Rio Solimões snakes its way through northwest Brazil, from the Peruvian frontier until it merges with the Rio Negro, close to Manaus. On the banks of the Solimões thousands live, some in permanent settlements, many others, however, in small clusters of just a handful of huts. The people are poor and generally live by fishing. They are of the most varied origins – some are native Indians, some the descendants of plantation workers, drawn here at the time of the rubber boom at the beginning of the 20th century. Fr. Gino Alberati, a Capuchin Father, knows them in detail. "There are 14 different ethnic groups living along the river", this Italian born priest explains, during a visit to the headquarters of the international Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN). This 69-year-old priest currently ministers to 27 riverside communities from his mission centre at Santo Antônio do Içá. It is a town of 35,000 souls, situated at the point where the Rio Içá joins the Solimões. Since 2004 Frei Gino has had at his disposal a 50 foot motor launch, the “Fraternidade Itinerant”, which roughly translates as "traveling brotherhood". ACN was able to fund the purchase of this boat for him, thanks to the generosity of its benefactors. This costly investment of over $140,000 has more than paid off by now, for it has given an enormous boost to the pastoral care among the riverside communities here in the upper Amazon region. Fr. Gino often spends days on the water. More recently, and so that he can reach the faithful at low water times as well, he has also purchased a 12 foot speedboat, which he has registered in the name “Father Werenfried”, and which travels with him as a shore boat. (AP) (Agenzia Fides 7/9/2010)
