Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Brasilia (Fides Service) - Today the Amazon region has urgent need of help: it covers 43.38% of south America and is the region with most of the planet’s natural resources and bio-diversity, and is therefore the world’s second most important geopolitical strategic area. The Amazon’s ecosystem renders the entire planet an environmental service helping control climate and reducing effects of polluting substances. Amazon territory in Brazil covers 60% of the national territory and has a population of 21 million. Despite its importance for the world this area is subject to deforestation and contamination of water resources, economic activities which damage the environment and generate poverty and insecurity for numerous families.
To address this tragic and concerning situation the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Brazil, is promoting a National Meeting for the Amazon 9 - 11 June at the Israel Pinheiro Centre in Brasilia. The meeting organised by the Bishops’ commission for the Amazon will reflect on the theme “The Amazon: challenges and prospect for mission”.
The meeting is part of a project “The Church’s Mission in the Amazon” which aims to involve all the different forces of the Church and of society in programmes of solidarity. The main aim of the Meeting is to encourage missionary spirit in the Church and increase Brazilian society’s awareness of the Amazon region. With the help of expert speakers the participants will discuss the present situation, risks, needs and opportunities in the socio-economic, political and religious-ecclesial fields, identify challenges and prospects for new evangelisation and discuss plans and resolutions.
This programme of mutirão or collaboration for the Amazon has three stages: 9 -11 meeting in Brasilia; regional and local seminars, symposiums, events in dioceses and parishes; visits to the Amazon by Bishops of other regions north and north west.
Paths of action suggested by the organising committee include: space for spreading information and knowledge of situation and problems in the Amazon by means of small groups in communities, parishes, dioceses, regions, movements; encouraging twinning between dioceses or parishes in the Amazon and the rest of the country; organise groups of religious and lay persons willing to go on mission to diocese and parishes in the Amazon; organise in the Amazon a support system for formation of seminarians, religious and laity. For more information apply to: anaclaudia@cnbb.org.br (R.Z.) (Agenzia Fides 1/6/2005 righe 33, parole 434)
