The Ecclesial Conference of the Amazon (CEAMA)has the pleasure of presenting the document entitled “Summary of the General Framework of the Amazonian Rite”, prepared by the Brazilian theologianAgenor Brighenti, as a valuable contribution to the path of inculturation in the Amazonian territory. This document seeks to offer aorganic and structured synthesisthat serves as a theological-pastoral and methodological basis for moving towards the creation of aAmazonian Ritein communion with the universal Church.
A synodal mandate on the way
The document responds to the call of theFinal Document of the Synod for the Amazon (2019), in its number 119, where the creation of a ritual specific to the Amazon is proposed:
“The new ecclesial body of the Amazon region must establish a competent commission for study and dialogue, in accordance with canon law, for the development of an Amazonian rite that expresses the liturgical, theological, disciplinary, and spiritual heritage of the Amazon.”
This path is part of theprocess of listening, discernment and pastoral conversionthat characterizes the synodal process promoted by Pope Francis. The Amazonian rite does not aim to standardize, butgive visible and celebratory formto the spiritual, symbolic and cultural wealth of the Amazonian peoples, strengthening a Church with its own face.
Document structure
The document prepared by Brighenti is organized into four large blocks that articulatefoundations, criteria and proposalsfor the elaboration of the Amazonian Rite:
1. General introduction
It presents the pastoral motivation of the document and its synodal context, emphasizing the procedural, participatory, and synodal nature of the journey toward an Amazonian rite. It is emphasized that the document does not seek to define the rite, but ratheroffer a general framework to guide its collective construction, respecting the cultural, linguistic and spiritual plurality of the region.
2. Theological-pastoral foundation
Explore the theological foundations of the project, from theecclesiology of the People of God, the relationship between liturgy and culture, the diversity of rites in the tradition of the Churchand understanding of theInculturation as a theological and pastoral principle. Here it is affirmed that the Amazonian rite is not a concession, but a right, and a legitimate expression of Catholicism.
3. Methodological clues
It offers proposals for the process of elaborating the rite, highlighting the need to:
- Listen to local communities, especially indigenous and Afro-descendant peoples.
- Recognize traditional knowledge and indigenous and Afro/Amazonian spiritualities.
- Articulating the liturgy with the life, memory and hope of the peoples.
- To work in communion with the particular Churches, CELAM, the Dicastery for Divine Worship, and other ecclesial bodies.
It is emphasized that this process must beparticipatory, community-based, intercultural and ecumenical, also valuing the existing experiences of inculturated celebration in various Amazonian dioceses and prelatures.
4. Guidelines for the elaboration of the rite
This part proposes theprinciples and criteria that could guide the construction of the new rite, including:
- The centrality of the Word of Godas a living source of wisdom.
- The symbolic, narrative and performative dimensionof the liturgy.
- The relationalityas a key category of Amazonian spirituality.
- The incorporation ofnative languages, songs, gestures and symbols of the territory.
- The place of women, lay ministries, and communion with creation.
These guidelines seek to ensure that the Amazonian rite isauthentically rooted in the culture and faith experience of the peoples, promoting a living, meaningful and liberating liturgy.
A proposal open to community discernment
The document does not intend to offer a finished recipe, butinvite to the synodal and creative paththat the Churches of the Amazon are called to follow. From CEAMA, we encourage ecclesial communities, pastoral workers, indigenous leaders, lay ministries, theologians, and bishops toread, reflect and discuss this document, as a working tool to collectively build a liturgy with an Amazonian face.
In the words of Pope Francis, it is about “not domesticating the novelty that the Spirit wants to awaken in the Church” (Evangelii Gaudium 259), and opening ourselves to the possibility of celebrating faith from thelife, land and hope that springs up in the heart of the Amazon biome.