Amazon Synod under way
International
The sixth General Congregation of the Special Synod of Bishops for the Amazon region began in the afternoon of October 9 in the presence of Pope Francis. The Synod for the Amazon is taking place in the Vatican until October 27. Vatican News - Vatican City
The tragedy of drug trafficking and its consequences: this is one of the interventions that resounded this afternoon in the Synod Hall. In some areas of the Amazon region, the cultivation of coca has increased from 12 thousand to 23 thousand hectares. This has had a devastating effect on the increase in crime and on the upheaval of the natural equilibrium of an increasingly desertified territory.
At the same time, millions of hectares of land are being destroyed by authorised fires and in the construction of hydroelectric dams. This has had a very strong impact on the environment of some regions, altering ecosystems.
For this reason, a call to ecological conversion is necessary. It was said in the Synod Hall that the Church must be a prophetic voice in order for the topic of integral ecology to enter the agenda of international bodies.
Inculturation and evangelisation
In other interventions by the Synod Fathers, they returned to reflect on the balance between inculturation and evangelisation inviting us to look at the example of the eloquence of Jesus.
The incarnation itself, is in fact the greatest sign of inculturation, because it is the Word of God taking on a human form in order to make itself visible in His love.
The Church has been called to be incarnated in concrete life, in the same way that the missionaries were in the Amazon.
Missionary synodality
One speech, in particular, expressed the idea that the Amazon become a laboratory of permanent missionary synodality for the good of both the peoples who live in the region and for the good of the Church. Stress was also placed on the importance of interculturality and on the enhancement of cultures and of Indigenous populations, so as to help in the care for our common home.
The difficulty of vocation and the way of the viri probati
Still on the topic of evangelisation, there was talk of the difficulty of priestly and religious vocations and the Synodal Fathers reflected on the path of the viri probati. It was said in an intervention that this path would weaken the urge that priests have to leave one continent for another and also one diocese for another. The priest, in fact, is not “of the community”, but “of the Church” and, as such, can be “for any community”.
Another intervention underlined that it is not so much sacred ministries that are needed, but Deaconies of faith.
It was reiterated that there is a need for a better formation for priests and a call for the valorisation of the responsibilities of the laity, far from clericalism.
Popular piety
A further intervention focuses on the theme of popular piety, an aspect of evangelisation that one cannot ignore.
This is one of the fundamental characteristics of the peoples of the Amazon and it is therefore necessary that it be looked after, as a treasure reflecting Jesus Christ. From this stemmed the idea that manifestations of popular piety be increasingly accompanied, promoted and enhanced by the Church.
Theology of Creation
The focus of the Synod Hall then turned to the theology of Creation, where God’s Word to humankind resides. Based on this, the Synod Fathers reflected on the importance of a major dialogue between said theology and positive sciences – as if to forget creation would mean forgetting the Creator.
The importance of defending the rights of the Indigenous peoples of the Amazon was also stressed. It was said that dialogue with these peoples is important, helping us to value them as worthy interlocutors, endowed with the ability to be self-determined.
The role of women in the Church and society
Auditors, fraternal delegates and special guests were also given the floor during the 6th Congregation. There was a particular point made of stressing the importance of promoting the role of women, of giving value to their leadership within the family, society and the Church. Women are guardians of life, evangelisers, artisans of hope, the sweet breeze of God and the maternal face of the Church. It is therefore important to recognise the style with which women of the Amazon proclaim the Gospel, as they are often silent yet very heavily involved in society. It is stressed, once again, that a gender synodality must be strengthened in the Church.
Interreligious and ecumenical dialogue
The importance of interreligious dialogue is also stressed in the Synod Hall. The kind which aims at trust and on seeing differences as opportunities. One that is far from religious colonisation and close to listening and awareness of difference.
The focus then turned to ecumenical dialogue, highlighting the importance of a common path dedicated also to the protection of the rights of indigenous peoples -so often victims of violence – and of the Amazonian land destroyed by predatory mining methods or by venefic cultivations. A common proclamation of the Gospel can be a way to combat these horrendous crimes. It was also noted that Christians cannot be silent when faced with the violence and injustices that the Amazon and its people are facing. Announcing God’s love in the most remote corners of the region means denouncing all forms of oppression on the beauty of Creation.
Amazonia, an authentic place concerning everyone
It was added that the Amazon is an authentic place in which many of the global challenges of our time are manifested, challenges that affect us all. The sufferings of the Amazonian peoples, in fact, derive from an “imperial” lifestyle, in which life is considered a simple commodity and inequalities end up being strengthened more and more. Instead, Indigenous peoples can help us in the understanding of the interconnectedness of things: global cooperation is possible and urgent.
The example of the Pope
Pope Francis gave his contribution at the beginning of the open interventions by pointing out what had struck him most so far. The Pope, who had opened the works of the day by praying for our “Jewish brothers” on the day of Yom Kippur, ended the day by praying for the victims of the attack on the synagogue in Halle, Germany.
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