A CHURCH WITH AN AMAZONIAN FACE: MEMORY AND PROPHECY FROM THE BRAZILIAN CONTEXT

Abstract

The Amazonia has awakened interest in the world, due to the pecu­liarities of its biome and its multiple ethnicities, cultures and religions. Pope Francis called a special Synod: “Amazonia. New Paths for the Church and for an integral ecology “. One runs the risk of not knowing the long walk already carried out by the churches of the region and one does not learn from its history. So, the article aims to show how in recent years the church with an amazonian face has been developed in the region promoting the care of the Common Home. Such option is the safe basis for undertaking new paths today. Two main sources will be used: the conclusions of the meetings of the bishops of the Brazilian Amazon and the documents of the Conferences of the Latin American Episcopate. Initially, it will be shown how, starting from Medellín, the Church of the Brazilian Amazon assumed pastoral guidelines to respond to the region's appeals, especially to indigenous peoples. Next, the pastoral options and vision of ecology emanating from Puebla, Santo Domingo and Aparecida will be identified. It will be pointed out how the Church of the Brazilian Amazon has assumed an increasing commitment to social and environmental issues. Finally, some challenges and pastoral opportunities will be presented from the Church in the Pan Amazon.