The cross-border region between Colombia, Brazil, and Peru once again became a setting for collaboration, listening, and missionary commitment with the holding of the biannual meeting of missionaries who accompany the lives of Amazonian peoples in this territory marked by cultural diversity, human mobility, and socio-environmental challenges.
The meeting took place on April 28 at the Marist Educational Center in Tabatinga, bringing together nearly 30 participants from indigenous, riverside, and urban communities in the border region. Despite the heavy rain that lasted throughout the day, the strength of the mission and the spirit of fraternity enlivened this space for reflection and fellowship.
Participants included laypeople, religious men and women, indigenous representatives, and pastoral workers committed to the journey of the Amazonian Church in this region where geographical borders do not halt the shared life of the peoples.
A space to strengthen the synodal journey
The main objective of the gathering was to strengthen fellowship and share dreams, joys, and challenges experienced in this cross-border territory, deepening the commitment to a synodal Church that is close to and incarnated in the Amazonian reality.
The day included moments of prayer, community presentations, and spaces for reflection on new paths for the Church and integral ecology in the Amazon. Participants delved particularly deeply into the theme: “The Synodal Journey in the Amazonian Cross-Border Region: Paths, Characteristics, and Dreams”
From this perspective, the gathering sought to respond to the current cries of the Amazon, promoting attentive listening to the communities and strengthening pastoral coordination in the region.
Seven Pillars for a Church That Goes Out
Inspired by the work promoted by thePan-Amazonian Ecclesial Network (REPAM), participants reflected in small groups and in plenary sessions on seven fundamental themes for the Amazonian mission:
- Hand in hand with the Amazonian peoples.
- The Amazon and advocacy.
- Weaving paths toward socio-environmental justice and good living.
- The Church on the frontiers.
- Youth in service to our Common Home.
- Women on the move.
- Itinerant Network: weaving missionary networks for the region.
These sessions allowed for the sharing of concrete experiences of pastoral accompaniment and the discernment of common challenges related to the defense of life, the protection of territories, and the strengthening of Amazonian communities.
New coordination team for the cross-border mission
One of the significant moments of the gathering was the election of the new coordination team that will accompany this process of missionary coordination in the cross-border region.
The new team consists of:
- Ferney Pereira Araujo, from the Nazareth Indigenous Reserve and the Holy Family Parish of the Apostolic Vicariate of Leticia.
- María Careca, from the Nazareth Indigenous Reserve and the Holy Family Parish
- Marisol Recéndiz Garibay, a member of the Franciscan Sisters of Jesus Crucified, a missionary in Caballo Cocha.
Likewise, Sister Lizete Cunha, of the Little Sisters of the Immaculate Conception, presented a report on the activities carried out over the past year and bid farewell to her coordination role, receiving the group’s gratitude for her commitment and dynamism in this process of missionary coordination.
Bearers of Hope in the Amazon
The meeting concluded with a fraternal lunch and a commitment to continue walking together in the service of the Amazonian peoples. The participants left encouraged and already looking forward to the next meeting, which will take place from September 8 to 10 in Caballo Cocha, Peru.
Amid the social, ecological, and pastoral challenges facing the Amazon, these gatherings continue to be a sign of hope and a concrete expression of a Church that walks alongside the peoples, listens to their cries, and strengthens networks of solidarity and mission.
They are missionaries—men and women—who bring hope, sowing fraternity and care for life in the heart of the Amazon.
