“Hope never disappoints, because God has given us the Holy Spirit and poured out his love into our hearts” (Rom 5:5). Inspired by this biblical quote,Commission for the Preparation of the Synodal Apostolic Plan of CEAMA (PAS)held its first meeting on Monday, May 19, 2026, in virtual format.
This meeting marks the formal beginning of the drafting and discernment phase of theFirst Synodal Apostolic Planof the Ecclesial Conference of the Amazon (CEAMA), a process that seeks to realize, by listening to the People of God, a deeply synodal, prophetic pastoral approach rooted in the cries of the Amazon.
A diverse team at the service of discernment
The commission is made up of ten people from different vocations, countries, and charisms, representing the richness and diversity of the Church in the region:
- Mauricio López, Vice President of CEAMA and Executive Secretary of PUAM
- Marcelo Antonio Lemos, Executive Secretary of CEAMA
- Monsignor David Martínez de Aguirre, Bishop of the Vicariate of Puerto Maldonado (Peru) and President of REIBA
- Father James Sáenz Silva, priest delegate (Colombia)
- Juan Urañavi Yeroqui, delegate of indigenous peoples (Bolivia)
- Marva Joy Hawksworth, lay delegate (Antilles)
- Angela Maria Gonzalez Diaz, lay delegate (Colombia)
- Hna. Sonia Maria Pinho de Matos, religious delegate (Brazil)
- Dr. Birgit Weiler, theological delegate (Peru)
- Lidiane of Hallelujah Christ, coordinator of articulation of REPAM (Brazil)
In its welcome, CEAMA thanked the members for accepting this ecclesial service, highlighting the value of shared discernment and the call of the Spirit that summons them.
What is the Apostolic Synodal Plan (PAS) of CEAMA?
The PAS is not just a pastoral roadmap, but the expression of a truesynodal itinerarythat articulates communion, participation and mission. It seeks to embody a pastoral, ecological and synodal conversion, in fidelity toPraise be to you, Dear Amazon, and to the global path of the Synod on Synodality.
This Plan will be the fruit of the sensus fidei of the People of God in the Amazon, and of a collective process that recognizes the voices of indigenous peoples, women, youth, lay people, religious men and women, and bishops.
Three pillars for an Amazonian synodal pastoral
The Commission agreed to move forward with a synodal and territorial logic, based on three fundamental pillars:
- Escuchar: generate inclusive spaces for deep dialogue, especially with the most vulnerable voices.
- To care: protect biodiversity and the dignity of the Amazonian peoples.
- Reconcile: to heal the wounds caused by social, ecological and cultural conflicts, promoting peace based on mutual respect.
Towards the CEAMA General Assembly
The process will culminate in theVI General Assembly of the CEAMA, to be held fromMarch 18-21, 2026Before that date, the following will be carried out:
- Local and territorial synodal consultations.
- Spaces for writing, listening, and validating the PAS.
- Coordination between local churches, networks and Amazonian communities.
CEAMA stresses that this rescheduling is in line with theJubilee of Hope 2025, allows for better articulation with the implementation phase of the Synod of Synodality (2025–2028) and strengthens preparation for a more mature, participatory and transformative Plan.
“This Plan will be the collective fruit of a Church that goes forth, walking with the people and listening to the signs of the times. We trust that the Spirit will continue to guide us in this process of discernment and mission in the Amazon.”