A Letter for Jorge

January 1999

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Greetings from the Prelacy of Itacoatiara, Brazil. Back in 1962, at the invitation of the national Conference of Brazilian Bishops, Scarboro Missions began to share the faith journey of the people in this part of northern Brazil.

At that time, Itacoatiara was a small, rural Amazon town with about 11,000 people. There was the parish church and two small chapels. Today, 35 years later, the population is estimated to be close to 90,000, the second largest city in the State of Amazonas. The parish church is now the cathedral and there are 17 communities with a church or chapel. In the vast interior, there are six parishes and 300 or so small Christian communities in the towns and settlements along the banks of rivers and lakes.

Despite advances in technology, ten minutes from here in either direction, up or down the Amazon River, much is the same as it was in the 1960s. Modern technology has had little impact on the lives of the people. Although there are more outboard motors, the main means of transportation is still the canoe. However, government and private enterprise plan mega-projects which will have a serious impact on the area and the people.

When the Portuguese missionaries arrived in the 17th century, the seeds of the Gospel were already present in these Indigenous peoples and cultures. As Scarboro missionaries, we came to continue the work of evangelization and were greeted by a people who have the gifts of welcoming and sharing.

Vatican Council had spoken of the church as “the people of God.” Later, the Latin American Bishops supported the Basic Christian Communities which began to emerge all over the continent. Community leadership, catechetical and biblical training programs were established in the prelacy.

As the people gathered in community to reflect on their life situations with the help of the light that comes from the World of God, they discovered their dignity as human beings and as sons and daughters of God. The strength that comes from unity led to action in transforming the unjust structures of a society dominated by a privileged class. The Church, to be faithful to the Gospel, made an option for the poor.

More than 20 years of military dictatorship brought severe persecution to popular movements, trade unions, and the Church. The many martyrs of Brazil and Latin America – workers, farmers, lawyers, religious sisters, priests and bishops – inspire and encourage us to be faithful to the people and to God’s Word.

Through your prayers and financial help, you have shared this journey with us. You have enabled the Church in the Prelacy of Itacoatiara to flourish. Thank you for being part of our journey. The rapid social, political, economic and cultural changes that are taking place present new challenges to us. We look to the future with faith and trust in the God of Life.

Fraternally and with warm Brazilian abracos.
Bishop Jorge Marskell
November 1996

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