On August 9 and 10, a meeting was held in the Diocese of Floresta – Pernambuco, Brazil, organized by the Indigenous Pastoral of the diocese to celebrate the Jubilee of Indigenous Peoples, coinciding with the International Day of Indigenous Peoples. It was a moment marked by listening, sharing and debate on urgent issues that affect us all.
On the first day, I was invited by Father Alberto Reani to coordinate one of the six workshops offered during the meeting. The workshop I led was based on Pope Francis’ document, Fratelli Tuttiand dealt with Universal Fraternity and Social Friendship, with a focus on the care of the common home.
We reflected on how everything is interconnected and how our actions should be oriented to the common good. These principles were reaffirmed in the testimonies shared during the plenary, where voices were raised in defense of nature, with a special call to care for the São Francisco River, our beloved “Velho Chico”.
On Sunday, in a walk to the Cathedral, to the rhythm of traditional songs, Dom Gabriel expressed his deep gratitude for the presence and active participation of the indigenous peoples living in the diocese.
Deyse Cristina Silva Santos, Coordinator of MJV, Brazil
