From April 24 to 26, the Apostolic Vicariate of Puerto Maldonado held its Regional Assembly in Madre de Dios, bringing together priests, religious sisters, and laypeople from the parishes and organizations of its three deaneries. This space for encounter, discernment, and communion unfolded in harmony with the path promoted by the Synod on Synodality.
The assembly centered on “Conversation in the Spirit,” a practice of communal discernment that invites participants to go beyond debate to open spaces for deep listening, prayer, and a shared search for God’s will. Through this process, participants shared their experiences, challenges, and hopes, recognizing themselves as part of a Church called to walk together in an attitude of constant pastoral conversion.
The gathering reaffirmed that synodality is not merely a method, but the Church’s deepest vocation. In this context, participants highlighted the importance of listening to the voice of God manifested in the concrete reality of the Amazonian peoples—in their struggles, aspirations, and life journeys. From there, they renewed their commitment to go out to meet the communities to evangelize in the style of Jesus: close, merciful, and incarnate.
The Assembly concluded on Sunday, April 26, with a solemn Mass of Sending, presided over by B Bishop David Martínez de Aguirre, OP.B The celebration brought together representatives from throughout the Vicariate, who presented the fruits of the discernment experienced during these days.
In his homily, the bishop emphasized that this assembly does not represent a point of arrival, but rather the beginning of a new stage marked by a renewed missionary impulse. He invited the participants to allow themselves to be guided by the Holy Spirit and to courageously embrace the call to be a Church that goes forth, capable of responding with hope to the social, cultural, and environmental challenges of the Amazon region.
Also participating in this gathering was Fr. Jesús Huamán (Priest Vice President of CEAMA), whose presence expresses communion and coordination with the Ecclesial Conference of the Amazon (CEAMA) in the pastoral processes unfolding in the region.
This Zonal Assembly stands as a concrete sign of the synodal journey in the Amazon, where the Church recognizes itself as the people of God on a journey, called to discern, serve, and proclaim life in the midst of these territories, in fidelity to the Gospel and in deep communion with the communities.
