Conference in preparation for the Synod on Amazonia

This week, from 25 to 27 February 2019, the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops held a Study Seminar on the theme: Toward the Special Synod for Amazonia: regional and universal dimensions.  This Seminar is part of the planning for the Special Assembly that will take place in October of this year, entitled: Amazonia: new paths for the Church and for an integral ecology.

There were approximately 80 participants present for this Seminar, including the Presidents of 7 Episcopal Conferences from the Amazon area - the Antilles, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela - some of the Heads of Dicasteries from the Roman Curia, the Presidency of the Pan-Amazonian Ecclesial Network (REPAM), various Bishops, priests, religious men and women, lay people from the Amazon region and from other geographic areas.

On the first day, some ecclesial and pastoral aspects were examined in the light of the Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium; on the second day, some questions connected to the promotion of integral ecology were discussed in the light of the Encyclical Laudato Si'.  Following each of these reports, which presented the two major themes - The mission of the Church in Amazonia in the light of Evangelii Gaudium; and Integral ecology in Amazonia in the light of Laudato Si' - there were several in-depth conversations, as well as a fruitful debate which allowed the participants to provide their own reactions, thus enriching the common reflection.

The interventions outlined a general picture of the urgencies being faced in the Amazon and of the Church that lives and works in that immense territory. In this way, the contributions of this Seminar will offer a precious contribution to the ongoing Synodal process. In fact, the Seminar offered a solid foundation in view of the Synod, which is a pastoral reflection open to the recognition of diversity, listening to the Amazon reality with all its cultural and ecclesial facets. The image of a courageous Church in the proclamation of the Gospel and in defence of Creation and the indigenous peoples, is the horizon towards which the Synod Fathers are oriented - gathered together cum Petro et sub Petro - to share an experience of fraternal communion, collegiality and synodality.