The church has made a great effort to build a genuinely indigenous Catholic tradition in the Amazon region, reports Eduardo Campos Lima, and indigenous leaders have great hopes for the upcoming synod.
Latin America
Posted inDispatches, Faith
The working document for the Amazon Synod has been controversial—just not in Brazil
But the Pan-Amazon Synod’s organizers say much of the unhappiness with the its working document simply reflects Eurocentricism. Many critics “have little knowledge of the Amazon and in some cases have no commitment to its people.”
Posted inDispatches, Faith
What Pope Francis means to U.S. Latino Catholics
The first Latino pope and Hispanic Heritage Month
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
Nicaragua’s bishops call nation’s crisis of trust ‘an omnipresent virus’
Nicaragua’s bishops urged unity, dialogue and a willingness to overcome a “crisis of trust” as the Central American country celebrated its independence on Sept. 15.
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
After human rights abuses, Vatican calls for electoral reform in Nicaragua
A major human rights crisis was triggered after police forces and pro-government groups cracked down on nationwide protests that began in April 2018 against a series of reforms mandated by President Daniel Ortega.
Posted inEditorials, Politics & Society
The Editors: To protect the Amazon, we must first listen to its people
October’s Synod on the Amazon gives the church an opportunity to hear the cries of the earth and the people of this richly diverse, life-giving and fragile region.
Posted inFaith, News
Pope Francis urges action to save burning Amazon rainforest
Describing the Amazon rainforest as “vital for our planet,” Pope Francis joined the regions bishops in praying for action to extinguish the massive fires burning there.
Posted inDispatches, Politics & Society
Latin American bishops sound the alarm: “If the Amazon suffers, the world suffers”
A record number of wildfires and the rapid deforestation of the Amazon are prompting Latin American bishops to plead for international action, writes America’s correspondent in Brazil, Eduardo Campos Lima.
Posted inFaith, News
Vatican investigates sexual abuse allegation against Chilean president’s uncle
The investigation will determine the credibility of an accusation of abuse allegedly committed “more than 50 years ago” by Archbishop Pinera who, at 103, is the oldest living bishop in the world.
Posted inDispatches, Politics & Society
Brazil has one of the most violent prison systems in the world. Can the Catholic Church help?
Deadly riots regularly occur in the third-largest prison system in the world, reports Eduardo Campos Lima, and Brazilian authorities are restricting the practice of religion rather than address overcrowding, gang activity and other problems.