The bishops of the Diocese of Ponta de Pedras and the Prelature of Marajó, in the state of Pará, Brazil, are calling for immediate action by the authorities in light of the severity of the fires and controlled burns affecting the forests, fields, and communities of the archipelago.
In light of the increase in forest fires and controlled burns affecting the Marajó archipelago in the state of Pará, Brazil, the bishops of the Diocese of Ponta de Pedras and the Prelature of Marajó issued, on November 6, 2026, an urgent appeal to government authorities, social organizations, and religious communities to respond to this environmental and humanitarian emergency.
In a letter addressed to the communities, Monsignor Paulo Andreolli, SX, bishop-designate of the Diocese of Ponta de Pedras, and Monsignor José Ionilton Lisboa de Oliveira, SDV, bishop of the Prelature of Marajó, expressed their concern over the fires that are devastating the region’s forests and fields, severely affecting the local population.
The bishops noted that they have received numerous messages and videos from the communities showing the magnitude of the fires. Among the most recent reports is one from the municipality of Anajás, where forests are seen ablaze and the population is suffering the consequences of the fire and smoke.
Communities Vulnerable to a Climate Emergency
The letter warns of the difficult situation facing the archipelago’s communities, especially given their limited capacity to respond to the consequences of the severe drought and extreme weather conditions.
The bishops link this situation to the phenomenon known as “Super El Niño,” which, they note, has been warming at an extremely rapid rate since June 2026, coinciding with a period of drought of historic intensity that is potentially devastating for the region.
One of the most concerning impacts is the loss of families’ livelihoods. Fires are destroying crops and areas where forest products are harvested, including açaí, a staple food and vital source of income for numerous communities in the interior of the archipelago.
This situation threatens to exacerbate the economic and social hardships of a population that depends directly on the region’s resources for food and livelihood.
A Call to Action for Authorities and Civil Society
Given the severity of the emergency, the bishops are calling for urgent intervention by municipal, state, and federal governments, as well as the Public Prosecutor’s Office, municipal councils, the Legislative Assembly, and political representatives of the state of Pará.
The call is also directed at civil society organizations, social movements, labor unions, research institutions, religious communities, and Christian churches, with the aim of building an immediate and coordinated response to the fires.
Likewise, leaders of local churches are providing guidance to priests, men and women religious, and pastoral workers to raise public awareness about the risks of improper use of fire. However, they warn that these preventive measures are insufficient given the intensity of the fires currently affecting the region.
The Church Joins the Cry of the People
In concluding their statement, the bishops present themselves as servants of Christ and shepherds of the Catholic Church in Marajó, issuing a call for solidarity in response to the cry for help from the affected communities.
“We are calling for government intervention,” they state, emphasizing the need for a response that will protect the population, the forests, and the livelihoods of Amazonian families.
The emergency in Marajó once again highlights the vulnerability of Amazonian communities to extreme weather events and the need to strengthen prevention, emergency response, and the protection of their territories.
Caring for the Amazon also means protecting its peoples, their sources of livelihood, and their territories. The cry of the Marajó communities demands solidarity and urgent action.