“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (Jn 10:10). With these words from the Gospel, various faith communities and church organizations gathered in Quito on September 19 and 20 to reflect on the Pastoral Guidelines of the Churches on Mining and reaffirm their commitment to defending life and territories.
The Ecclesial Conference of the Amazon (CEAMA), together with Caritas Ecuador, the Pan-Amazonian Ecclesial Network – REPAM Ecuador, the Churches and Mining Network, the Laudato Si’ Movement (Ecuador Chapter), the Alejandro Labaka Foundation, the JPIC of the Ecuadorian Conference of Religious Men and Women, the Capuchin Brothers of Ecuador, and the Congregation of Providence, sent a letter of solidarity to the communities resisting extractivism.
The statement expresses concern about the advance of mining, oil, indiscriminate logging, and monoculture, as well as the pollution of rivers and seas, the destruction of the Amazon, and road megaprojects that threaten community territories and protected areas. It also denounced the violence and persecution faced by those who defend life, culture, and nature.
Inspired by the teachings of Pope Francis and Pope Leo XIV’s call for “Peace with Creation,” participants renewed their commitment to accompany, strengthen, and encourage resistance struggles that seek alternatives for living in harmony with nature and with peoples.
The letter also highlighted community experiences of hope, such as those in Cuenca and Azuay, where unity and organization made it possible to say “yes to water, yes to the páramos, and no to mining,” confirming that another future is possible.
Monsignor José Adalberto Jiménez, Bishop of the Apostolic Vicariate of Aguarico and CEAMA delegate in Ecuador, participated in the meeting and supported the Letter of Solidarity, reaffirming the Church’s commitment to defending our Common Home.
“We are convinced that life triumphs, because God the Father-Mother accompanies those who fight for justice, and because we cannot fail the generations to come, who demand from us a healthy, just, and supportive world,” the message concludes.
With this action, CEAMA and the signatory organizations reiterate their commitment to the defense of our Common Home, life, and the peoples who courageously continue to open paths of hope for all humanity.