Church leaders in Brazil have expressed their concern after a Wayapi ethnic leader was stabbed to death on 23 July in a reserve in Amapa, in the north of Brazil, fearing it to be a sign of the worsening socio-environmental crisis that is faced by Amazonian Indians.
The Indians have accused gold-diggers of invading their reserve and murdering their leader, Emyra Wayapi, aged 70. The National Conference of Bishops of Brazil (CNBB) called on “mining, forestry and agro-food activities” to “review their concepts of progress, growth and development”, in a statement published on 29 July. “The commodification of indigenous lands was born of an unbridled desire of those who want to accumulate wealth,” continued the statement signed by CNBB president, Archbishop Walmor Oliveira de Azevedo of Belo Horizonte.
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, during his election campaign, said protected indigenous territories in the Amazon were an obstacle to the country’s economic development and should accommodate mining and other industries.
The controversy emerged as the 6-27 October Vatican Synod on the Amazon draws closer. The Synod is set to address issues that arise from problems in the Amazon but have implications for the universal Church.
There has been much discussion of the possibility of ordaining “proven married men” to address the shortage of priests in the region, with some fearing this could be a “stalking horse” for a debate about decentralisation.
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