Committed to addressing the current challenges of evangelization, the Northeast 5 Region of the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil (CNBB) held its XXII Regional Pastoral Assembly, a forum for discernment, evaluation, and planning that brought together nearly one hundred church leaders to develop the new Regional Pastoral Plan for 2026–2032.
The Assembly took place from July 9 to 12 at the Anajás Formation Center in the city of Imperatriz, in the state of Maranhão (Brazil), under the theme “Missionary, Synodal, and Prophetic Communities: Evaluating and Planning Our Path”, inspired by the biblical motto: “Test everything; hold on to what is good” (1 Thess 5:21).
A Path of Discernment for the Church in Maranhão
Over the course of four days, bishops, priests, men and women religious, and laypeople reflected on the pastoral challenges facing the Church in Maranhão and discerned the priorities that will guide the region’s evangelizing efforts over the next six years.
The central objective of the meeting was to adapt the General Guidelines for the Evangelizing Action of the Church in Brazil (DGAE 2026–2032) to the social, cultural, and ecclesial reality of Maranhão, thereby strengthening a pastoral ministry that is increasingly attuned to the communities and their needs.
The president of the CNBB’s Northeast 5 Region, Bishop Gilberto Pastana, emphasized that the process made it possible to translate the national vision of the Church in Brazil into concrete responses to the challenges faced in Maranhão.
“We conclude this Assembly with a clear objective: to develop a Regional Pastoral Plan that responds to our reality and strengthens the Church’s evangelizing mission in Maranhão,” the bishop stated.
Priorities for a Church That Goes Out to Meet People
As a result of the discernment process, the Assembly reaffirmed the general objective proposed by the National Guidelines and incorporated pastoral priorities that address the region’s specific needs.
Among these priorities are care for our Common Home, youth ministry, strengthening initiation into the Christian life, ongoing formation of pastoral workers, and greater attention to people in vulnerable situations, especially minorities and people with disabilities.
Participants agreed on the need to build a more missionary, participatory, supportive, and welcoming Church—one capable of proclaiming the Gospel through close engagement with communities and of promoting processes of social transformation inspired by the Kingdom of God.
Evangelizing from the Reality of the People
Father João Evangelista, content advisor for the Assembly, emphasized that the new Guidelines provide a framework for strengthening pastoral action based on five main pillars: the animation of pastoral life, biblical ministry, initiation into Christian life, the consolidation of communities of missionary disciples, and service to a life of fulfillment for all.
As he explained, these elements provide concrete guidance so that evangelization may respond to society’s current challenges and strengthen the Church’s presence in the various regions of Maranhão.
A Church Committed to Life
At the conclusion of the Assembly, Bishop Gilberto Pastana reaffirmed the commitment of the Church in Maranhão to continue proclaiming Jesus Christ and forming communities capable of transforming realities marked by exclusion, violence, and injustice.
The new Regional Pastoral Plan 2026–2032 will be officially presented in the coming months, once the review process by the Regional Pastoral Council and the presidency of the CNBB’s Northeast 5 Region has been completed.
In line with the path promoted by the Ecclesial Conference of the Amazon (CEAMA), this Assembly reflects the Church in Brazil’s commitment to a synodal, participatory, and prophetic evangelization that listens to the realities of the people, strengthens community life, and promotes the integral care of people and our Common Home.