With profound joy and spirit of communion, the Ecclesial Conference of the Amazon (CEAMA) joins the celebration for the70 years since the creation of the Latin American and Caribbean Episcopal Council (CELAM)and of theFirst General Conference of the Latin American Episcopate, made in Rio de Janeiro in 1955.
This milestone marked a before and after in the pastoral life of our continental Church, consolidating a path ofcollegiality, discernment and missionary commitmentat the service of the peoples of Latin America and the Caribbean. Since its inception, CELAM has been a symbol ofunity in diversity, source of inspiration for aChurch on the move, embodied in history, attentive to the signs of the times and committed to the poorest.
Throughout these seven decades, CELAM has encouraged processes of enormous ecclesial and pastoral relevance, being the driving force of the General Conferences ofMedellin, Puebla, Santo Domingo, Aparecida, and more recently, of the synodal path that promotes an increasingly participatory and co-responsible Church.
From the Amazon—sacred territory, the lungs of the planet, and a place where life cries out for justice and creation awaits redemption—we express our gratitude to God for the gift of CELAM and for the abundant fruits of this shared history.
In thisjubilee time, CEAMA reaffirms its commitment to walk in synodality, from a Churchinculturated, intercultural and deeply ecological, in fidelity to the inspirations of Pope Francis expressed in the Apostolic ExhortationDear Amazonand in thePan-Amazonian Synod.
With renewed hope, we join in the longing for a Church that allows itself to be challenged by the cries of the earth and of the peoples, that embraces integral conversion and that seeks to be, in every corner of our continent,leaven of the Kingdom, witness of mercy and builder of peace.
That Mary,Our Lady of Guadalupe, mother of peoples and star of evangelization, continue to accompany and guide our journey in faith, unity, and prophecy.