From January 27 to 29, the first Ecclesiastical Assembly of the Peruvian Amazon was held in Lima, bringing together bishops, missionaries, lay people and indigenous representatives. Faced with the serious environmental crisis affecting the region, participants denounced the destruction of ecosystems, the impunity of criminal organizations and the lack of response from many governments. Inspired by the message of Pope Francis, they made an urgent call to action to protect the Amazon, the rights of its people and its natural resources, reaffirming that environmental justice is key to the future of the planet.
Pronouncement
1. It’s time to react: Let’s recognize that we are part of the problem; We all have responsibility for the disastrous climate crisis in which our Amazon is immersed. But we are also part of the solution; The call to care for the Amazon biome requires us to stop environmental impacts and preserve a healthy and balanced environment. This is the legacy for our children and grandchildren.
2. It is urgent to say No to criminal organizations: The Amazon is very close to reaching the “point of no return”, in which it will become a savanna and will no longer fulfill its decisive role in regulating the climate worldwide. However, criminal organizations continue to bleed her dry with total impunity. It is necessary to reverse this situation and direct our collective actions to stop this destructive wave of life. We urge the authorities to exercise their duties with responsibility and patriotism towards the citizens and the Amazon territory.
3. With Pope Francis we call on politicians to think about the common good (good politics): We regret that far from showing care for the extraordinary gift that is our Jungle (60% of the national territory), it seems that they are turning their backs on the unpunished actions of illegal mining, which continues to devastate our territories, corrupting and dividing our Amazonian peoples.
4. Water is a fundamental right for everyone: The Constitutional Court sanctions that the State, with respect for its citizens, must ensure that its authorities and representations do not interfere with the access of every person to this good, in healthy conditions for human consumption. The Pope tells us that “leaving no one behind” means committing ourselves to ending this injustice… because people’s lives and their very dignity are at stake.
5. We must take care of environmental caregivers and defenders: The Church in the Amazon accompanies the judicial processes initiated by indigenous organizations and that have marked a milestone in the defense of water and forests. However, there are already many (35) indigenous leaders murdered and others criminalized and threatened. However, and guided by Pope Francis, the Church maintains its commitment to caring for the land and the peoples (indigenous, settlers, coastal people) who live there.
Having begun the jubilee year “pilgrims of hope”, let us live this year inspired by the words of the Book of Leviticus where the meaning of the jubilee is defined, returning to the harmony of just relationships: «They will proclaim a deliverance for all…each one will recover his property, and each one will return to his family.” (Lev 25,10), respect for the rhythms of nature: «They will not sow or reap what grows again from the last harvest.» (Lev. 25, 11), finally: «Do not defraud one another, and fear your God, for I am the Lord your God.» (Lv. 25,17).