FAITH AND POLITICS THIRD
NATIONAL ENCOUNTER
BY SISTER MARIA LUCIA
We have participated in the Faith and Politics Third National Encounter which took
place in Goiânia on September 20-21, on the theme "Conquering the Promised
Land". These Encounters are part of a non-partisan and non-confessional ecumenical
movement, open to all who see political responsibility as a fundamental dimension of their
faith.
Opening the event, Goiânia's Mayor, Mr. Pedro Wilson Guimarães said: "Faith and
politics go hand in hand as politics are the link between reality and the Gospel."
Then, Mr. Gilberto de Carvalho, an organizer of this movement outlined its history,
showing how much it has grown along the way. There were many beautiful presentations on
this year's theme as well as prayerful moments. Well-known personalities all over Brazil
were also present such as Dom Marcelo Barros, a Benedictine monk living in Goiás Velho,
who said: "What is now known as 'development' is an evil, murderous thing. In the
Bible, all that was mentioned as the future is now past and all the troubles mentioned as
having been in the past look now likely to be in our future. What is the solution to this
question? Safeguarding life on earth means to undertake this task as my own. I must open a
dialogue with people from all cultural and religious backgrounds and learn how to relate
to all so that no-one may perish".
Frei Betto, one of Brazilian President Lula da Silva's counselors, lectured on the history
of politics in Brazil. Also present was the Minister of the Environment, Marina da Silva,
a simple woman from a rubber-tapper family in the Amazon and a close follower of
world-famous Chico Mendes, the martyr for the cause of the environment. A courageous
advocate for the poor, she said in her speech: "The Earth in the Portuguese language
is a feminine word. The Earth is the mother of us all. We must learn together how to
defend all life in the important natural environment of our own country, something more
difficult thann others who do not live here may expect".
Evangelical pastors as well, men and women, were present. One of them said: "There is
no prophecy for the future where there is no memory of the past," and made a
comparison: "We are living a new Exodus, a new process of liberation." After
each speaker, the floor was open to individuals wishing to share their own experiences to
protect nature.
On September 21, International Peace Day, a very beautiful ecumenical ceremony took place
involving over six thousand participants.
|
