During the 6th General Assembly of CEAMA, the voice of Colombia’s indigenous peoples was heard through Luis Ariel Fiscue, a representative of the Nasa people and a member of the Indigenous Ministry of the Archdiocese of Popayán and of CELAM.
Drawing from his experience at this Sixth Assembly, Fiscue highlighted the deeply spiritual dimension of the gathering: “It is a space where God is at work in the midst of his Church, among the bishops, the clergy, and the laity committed to proclaiming the Gospel.”
A Church that goes out to meet others
For the indigenous leader, the Assembly reflects a Church that goes out, capable of moving beyond comfort zones to reach the territories where a pastoral presence is most needed. “God urges us to be among the people, where almost no one wants to go,” he affirmed, emphasizing that the CEAMA experience strengthens missionary commitment in challenging contexts.
On this journey, he acknowledged the decisive role of Pope Francis, who has promoted a Church that is more open, closer to people, and constantly reaching out: “He invited us to take the first step, not to remain in comfortable structures, but to go out and encounter others.”
Synodality: walking together as a people
One of the most significant aspects highlighted by Fiscue is the progress in living out synodality. As he explained, a rigid hierarchical vision is being overcome to make way for a Church that walks united:
“It is no longer a pyramidal structure. Now we walk in a spiral, like the ruana: all together, with no one superior, advancing in the proclamation of the Gospel.”
This image, deeply rooted in the indigenous worldview, expresses a Church where all members—indigenous peoples, laypeople, religious, and pastors—actively participate in building community.
A time of grace
In defining the current moment of the Church in the Amazon, Fiscue was emphatic: “We are living God’s Kairos.” With this expression, he emphasized that this is an opportune time, a moment of grace in which God acts in a special way among his people.
This testimony reflects the spirit of the Assembly: a Church that discerns the signs of the times, that listens to the peoples, and that allows itself to be guided by the Spirit to respond to the challenges of the present.