Amazon Synod Day 3: The drama of
drug trafficking and the call to ecological conversion
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| Sixth General Congregation (Vatican Media) |
The sixth General Congregation of the Special Synod of
Bishops for the Amazon region took place in the afternoon of the 9th of October
in the presence of Pope Francis. The Synod for the Amazon is taking place in
the Vatican until October the 27th. 180 Synod Fathers were present in the
Synod Hall.
Vatican News - Vatican City
The tragedy of drug trafficking and its consequences: this
was one of the interventions discussed on Wednesday 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 rise in crime and on the upheaval of the natural equilibrium of a territory
facing increased desertification.
At the same time, millions of hectares of land are being
destroyed by authorised fires and 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 speak with a
prophetic voice in order for the issue of integral ecology to enter the agenda
of international bodies.
Inculturation and evangelisation
Other interventions by the Synod Fathers reflected on the
balance between inculturation and evangelisation, inviting us to look at the
example of Jesus.
The Incarnation itself, is the greatest sign of
inculturation, because it is the Word of God taking on human form in order to
make itself visible in His love.
The Church is called to incarnate herself in peoples'
everday lives, just as the missionaries did in the Amazon.
Missionary synodality
One intervention, in particular, expressed the idea that the
Amazon should 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 care for
our common home.
The challenge of vocations and the possibility of viri
probati
Still on the topic of evangelisation, there was discussion
regarding the challenges of priestly and religious vocations. The Synod Fathers
reflected on the possibility of "viri probati". One
intervention suggested this possibility would weaken the incentive for priests
to go from one continent for another, or from 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 suggested it is not so much priests who
who are needed, as lay deacons.
It was reiterated that there is a need for a better
formation for priests, and there was a call to give value to the
responsibilities of the laity.
Popular piety
A further intervention focused on the theme of popular
piety, an aspect of evangelisation that cannot be ignored, it was said.
This was described as one of the fundamental characteristics
of the peoples of the Amazon, and it being necessary to care for it 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 this 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. Dialogue with them 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. A particluar point stressed the
importance of promoting the role of women, of giving value to their leadership
within the family, society and the Church. Women were described as being
guardians of life, evangelisers, artisans of hope, the sweet breeze of God and
the maternal face of the Church. Interventions stressed the importance of
recognising the style with which women of the Amazon proclaim the Gospel, as
they are often silent yet very heavily involved in society. It was suggested
that a synodality of gender be strengthened in the Church.
Interreligious and ecumenical dialogue
The importance of interreligious dialogue was also discussed
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 poisonous cultivations. A common
proclamation of the Gospel can be a way to combat these 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 spoke 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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