Category Archives: Brazil

by | June 6, 2012 · 9:26 am

Rio+20: A warning from the Amazon

Amazon river and forestWhen thinking about a greener, fairer future, where better place to start than the Amazon rainforest? Home to one in ten of known species, it’s also a sink for climate-change-causing CO2 and inhabited by around 800,000 indigenous people - made up of 238 different indigenous ethnicities.

But its survival is under threat. The people who live there and depend on its future feel that their voices are not being heard by politicians or land-owners.

So, in the run-up to the Rio+20 summit on sustainable development, we spoke to three CAFOD partners in Brazil, about their involvement in the parallel People’s summit and their hopes for the future of the Amazon.

Call on your MP to support the Rio-UK declaration > Continue reading →

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by | May 24, 2012 · 1:55 pm

Rio+20: Looking forward, looking back

Brazil is preparing for the Rio+20 summitThis week I turned 28, and am beginning to feel that I’m at a crossroads in my life. I’m not old, obviously, but I’m not that young either.

It’s a good age to look back at what I have done so far (growing up in Paris, going to university, starting my professional life, getting familiar with the British culture etc.) and to start thinking about the future.

In a month the Rio+20 summit will start in Brazil. Also known as the UN Conference on Sustainable Development, it marks 20 years since the first Earth Summit took place in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. Like for me, it’s a good opportunity to reflect on what has been achieved for our planet and to discuss the future we want to see. 

Ask your MP to support a greener, fairer world > Continue reading →

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by | November 16, 2011 · 11:17 am

Brazil: rings of solidarity

Tucum Rings

Ana Paula and Jenilda from the Shanty Town Movement (MDF) in Sao Paulo wear their tucum rings with pride

Rachel writes: I was asked to create a prayer for my community at Savio House. I decided to base it around tucum rings that are made by CAFOD’s partners in the Shanty Town Movement (MDF) in Sao Paulo, because I love the philosophy behind them.

The rings are made from the fruit’s hard shell that surrounds the seed. One of these shells, or nuts, can only produce between one and three rings. The sawing, cleaning and polishing of the nuts is hard work. A person with experience needs about one hour to make one ring. The finishing of the rings is done by family members; particularly mothers and children. It creates an employment opportunity for Brazilians who don’t normally have work.

Read about CAFOD’s work in Brazil>>

The symbolism of the tucum ring has changed through the years. Centuries ago, the ring was a symbol of marriage for black and indigenous people who could not afford to buy gold. The ring was also a symbol of friendship and of resistance in fighting for freedom.

Today bishops, priests, friars, sisters and lay people in Latin America and all over the world wear the tucum ring as a symbol of solidarity with people living in poverty. The ring also symbolises the covenant of God, who came into this world poor and died poor.

Wearing the ring is an easy way to show your commitment to poorer communities around the world. My community loved the prayer and the fact that I had shared with them the significance of the tucum rings. We love them and still wear them! Thank you so much CAFOD for providing us with the rings – in particular to Stephen Davies, you legend – they have brought us closer together as a community and we now feel a stronger connection with the CAFOD community and the amazing work they do around our country and the world.

For more global justice inspired prayer ideas>>

About the author: Rachel is a CAFOD supporter and Youth Leader at Catholic residential centre Savio House in Bollington.

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by | July 20, 2011 · 4:25 pm

Tony’s Brazil pilgrimage: The Glory of God is alive both in creation and in small communities.

Tony Sheen, From our Westminster Diocese, is currently travelling in Barzil. Follow Tony’s progress here and on the CAFOD Westminster blog.

Friday, 15th July:

We have driven for over 12 hours of so and have left the busy city and into vast open countryside.   Out of the window we see the sunrise over a huge reservoir and open fields.  It’s such a contrast to the over-crowded city of São Paulo.

Fellow Pilgrim Ivanilch explains the significance of the pilgrimage to São Felix do Araguaia.

“We will remember the Martyrs of not just Brazil, but the whole of Latin America, South Africa and the rest of the world.”

She is a member of the grassroots Christian community, who are very spiritual and who meet in people’s homes. “ We need to walk with a bible in our hand, but to look with our eyes.  We must unpack the bible and challenge the status quo.”

“Look at the beautiful land out of the window owned by a few multinational firms and not benefitting the people.  Soya, sugar cane and cattle farming firms pushing small farmers off the land and who continue to deforest the Amazon.” 

The reservoirs we saw were on land previously owned by small farmers, who were pushed off their land by hydroelectric water firms.

The grassroots church criticises this and makes those in power feel uncomfortable including the church.

If the church were to recognise Oscar Romero as a saint it would fire up the people against Capitalism.

We hope to join over 4000 Pilgrims with Bishop Casaldiga in São Félix do Araguaia.

We stop off at a service station where we pray and sign in the open. I don’t understand all  the words of the hymns and prayers, but pick up the worlds Liberacao, Alleulia and the Lord’s Prayer all said and sung with conviction. We also lay our hands on each other and pray for each other.

I not only pray for the poor and oppressed in Latin America but CAFOD supporters and volunteers at home.

Read all of Tony’s Blogs…

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by | July 12, 2011 · 8:53 am

Tony’s Brazil pilgrimage: 11th-24th July 2011

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Tony Sheen, From our Westminster Diocese, is currently travelling in Brazil. Follow Tony’s progress here and on the CAFOD Westminster blog.

Next Monday I will be travelling to the state of Pará in Brazil, which is one of the most heavily logged regions of the Amazon rainforest.

Pará has long been a focal point for rural violence, a region where indigenous communities and small–scale farmers have tried to protect the forest from large-scale cattle ranching and mining.

Four murders have taken place in the past month in the region, amid conflicts over land and logging, adding to the 34 murders related to land violence in Brazil over the last year.

CAFOD works with Pastoral Land Commission (CPT), an organisation of the Brazilian Bishops´ Conference, which is providing help and legal support for local people who have been threatened and intimidated.

My colleague Sarah and I will join CAFOD partners on a special pilgrimage taking place on weekend of 16th July.

The pilgrimage will include a special torchlight procession in memory of murdered Jesuit priest João Bosco Burnier and thousands of others who have died in the struggle for justice.

Fr. Burnier worked with local bishop Don Pedro Casaldaglia amongst indigenous people in Brazil, he was murdered when he visited police headquarters to inquire about some indigenous women whom the police had detained.

The pilgrimage is called the Martyrs’ Pilgrimage, where many will gather to commemorate not only João Bosco Burnier, but the many lay and religious people including lawyers, students, journalists, union activists, human rights workers and indigenous people, who gave their lives in their struggle for justice, freedom and true peace.

During our visit, we will share pictures, stories and gifts with the Brazilian communities we meet, showing people from parishes and schools in England who support CAFOD by fundraising, campaigning and praying for justice.

The above slideshow shows some images of people sending their support to Brazil.

Whilst in Brazil I will also be visiting CAFOD’s Connect 2 Partners MDF (Movimento de Defensa do Favela ) and APOIO, who have been working for many years with the many thousands of people, who live in abject poverty in vast shanty towns.

I hope you will follow my blog … click to read more

Read more about CAFOD’s work in Brazil…

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