From August 23 to 26, the Ecclesial Conference of the Amazon (CEAMA) held its second in-person assembly in Manaus, Brazil, an opportunity to reinforce the Church's commitment to the defense of the Amazon, its biodiversity and its communities, in line with the comprehensive vision promoted by Pope Francis in the encyclical Laudato Si'.

Approximately 70 pastoral agents and representatives were gathered. ecclesiastical, coming from the local Churches of the Amazon: Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, Venezuela and French Guyana. Cáritas Latin America and the Caribbean, one of the four founding institutions, together with the Latin American and Caribbean Episcopal Council (CELAM), the Latin American Confederation of Religious (CLAR) and the Pan-Amazon Ecclesial Network (REPAM), participated in the entire Assembly through its communicator Marcus Neto, representing the regional coordination.

With the theme "Christ points to the Amazon: communion, mission and participation" and the motto "Do what He tells you" (Jn 2,5), the meeting aimed to consolidate the synodal and apostolic mission of CEAMA in the Amazon territory, based on the commitments assumed in the first in-person assembly, in addition to being an opportunity to reflect on local realities, identify priorities and address the challenges of the region.

The day began with a Eucharist, presided over by Cardinal Leonardo Steiner, Archbishop of Manaus, concelebrated by Cardinals Michael Czerny, Prefect of the Dicastery for Integral Human Development, and Pedro Barreto, President of CEAMA.

During the assembly, participants had the opportunity to delve deeper into issues related to the Amazon. These moments of collective reflection were complemented by discussions in small groups, where, following the methodology of spiritual conversation, participants were able to share their experiences, listen to different perspectives and together seek new pastoral paths for the Amazonian reality.

This work dynamic allowed an integration between open dialogue and the joint construction of proposals, strengthening the sense of communion and co-responsibility in the ecclesial mission.

Amazonian Rite: a path of inculturation and liturgical renewal

The presentation of the general framework of the Amazonian Rite was one of the key points of the Assembly, as the result of a path begun in 2020. The rite emerges as a key proposal within the pastoral and liturgical renewal in the Amazon region, responding to the need for deep inculturation in the life of the Church since the Amazon Synod.

This initiative seeks to integrate cultural elements, symbols and spiritual expressions typical of the Amazonian peoples in the liturgy, recognizing and valuing their rich spiritual heritage. The Brazilian theologian Agenor Brighenti, who coordinates the Amazonian Rite working group, stated in his presentation that the Amazonian Rite is not simply an adaptation of existing liturgical forms, but an authentic expression of the faith lived in the Amazon, which reflects the particularities of its ecological and cultural context.

By incorporating traditional rites and symbols, the Amazonian Rite becomes a bridge between the Christian faith and indigenous cultures, strengthening the identity of the communities and promoting evangelization that respects and enriches local traditions. This process of liturgical inculturation not only revitalizes ecclesial life in the Amazon, but also offers a model for other regions of the world where the Church seeks to make the Gospel present in a closer and more relevant way.

Contributions of the Amazonian Church to the Synod

In the context of the XVI General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, which will be celebrated next October, the Church in the Amazon has made significant contributions that they reflect their unique experience of synodality.

These contributions highlight the need for a Church that listens to and values ​​the voices of local communities, which are those who directly experience the challenges and hopes of the region. The Amazonian Church has insisted on the importance of adopting a synodal approach that allows real and effective participation of indigenous peoples and all those who live in the geographical and existential peripheries.

These contributions are a reminder that synodality is not an abstract concept, but a concrete practice that is manifested in the Church's ability to walk alongside the most vulnerable and marginalized.

Amazonian ministerialism and its impact on the universal church

Another key topic worked on in the assembly was Amazonian ministerialism, based on what has been worked on in the core of reflection. The ministry that has developed in the Amazon offers a wealth of experiences and practices that are beginning to be recognized throughout the Church.

In the Amazon, the lack of priests has led to the creation of new ministries and forms of lay leadership that respond effectively to the pastoral needs of communities. These ministries, which include women and men committed to the evangelizing mission, represent a new way of being Church, where co-responsibility and participation are essential.

The CEAMA and the episcopal conferences are called upon to recognize and value the ministries carried out by women in the Amazon. Furthermore, it is proposed that CEAMA formally request Rome to establish the female diaconate, as well as the start of diaconal training schools for women in the Amazon region.

Czerny: mathematics and grammar of the Gospel to fulfill the mission

At the end of the meeting, Cardinal Michael Czerny, who accompanied the assembly attentively and in a spirit of listening, challenged CEAMA to adopt a new perspective both from mathematics and from grammar, in the context of its ecclesial mission.

The prefect of the Dicastery for Integral Human Development stressed the importance of abandoning human mathematics, which tends to divide, to embrace evangelical mathematics, which is based on multiplication and inclusion. According to Czerny, human mathematics is not suitable for an ecclesial body, since it generates divisions, while evangelical mathematics recognizes that "if the other grows, I also grow; it is not necessary to lose for the other to win", inviting us to overcome the fear of losing in favor of the common good.

Reflecting on the logic of the synodal path, Czerny insisted that each vocation within the Church is interdependent and necessary for the realization of other vocations. He warned about the danger of falling into the logic of human mathematics and stressed the importance of cultivating a spirit of generosity in order to practice evangelical mathematics, which enriches all members of the ecclesial community.

From the perspective of grammar, the cardinal called not to focus solely on verbs, but to pay greater attention to the subjects of sentences. He indicated that placing CEAMA as the main subject is not consistent with a good ecclesiology, and that its place should be that of facilitator, not protagonist. The true subjects must be the people, the institutions, the living realities and the processes that develop. Communicatively, Czerny also proposed a change in language, suggesting that "we" be replaced by "you," so that the peoples of the Amazon feel like protagonists of their own history. This, in his opinion, is essential for CEAMA to fulfill its purpose of promoting a Church that truly takes center stage in life in the Amazon. As a method to evaluate this approach, he suggested re-reading the speeches and messages issued, ensuring that they reflect this change in focus.

Commitments

The reflections and decisions that arise from this meeting will be fundamental to define the future path of the Church in the Amazon, a Church that seeks to be truly synodal, inclusive and committed to social and environmental justice. This assembly is a call to the entire Church to look at the Amazon not only as a region to be protected, but as a source of spiritual and pastoral renewal.

Based on attentive listening to what the Spirit inspired during the assembly, especially in the work carried out in small groups, some commitments were presented to be assumed jointly by the conference. Now, it is up to the presidency to review these commitments and formally present them to the delegates in the near future, so that they can be evaluated and assumed in unity by all members of the assembly.