Amazon Synod

Synod members call for greater role of women, laity in ministry

Synod participants offered several proposals to address the lack of priests in the Amazon region, including revising the formation program for candidates to the priesthood and instituting new ministries for lay men and women.

Fear, status quo smother fire of God’s love, pope says at synod Mass

Celebrating the opening Mass of the Synod of Bishops for the Amazon Oct. 6, the pope said, "Jesus did not come to bring a gentle evening breeze, but to light a fire on the earth."

Synod is a time to listen, discern, not despise, pope says

The pope said he was saddened to hear a "sarcastic" remark from a synod participant about an indigenous man wearing a feathered headdress who presented the offertory gifts at the synod's opening Mass Oct. 6.

Cardinal Baldisseri explains who’s at Amazon synod, how it works

The members of the synod for the Amazon are mainly the bishops of the Amazon region of nine South American countries, and the discussions will focus on evangelization and safeguarding creation in that region.

Don’t fear what is new, Cardinal Hummes says, introducing synod topics

Speaking at the synod's opening session Oct. 7, Brazilian Cardinal Claudio Hummes identified key issues for the synod based on consultations held in church jurisdictions in the nine Amazonian countries over the past year and a half.

First synod talks look at climate, priests, inculturation, Vatican says

A few presentations also focused on the question of ordaining married "viri probati," or men of proven virtue, as one possible way to help Catholics access the sacraments in very remote locations.

Stress of fighting for land takes toll on indigenous peoples in Brazil

Pressure from land conflicts and decline of expectations and perspectives have led the indigenous populations in Brazil to register some of the highest suicide rates in the country, said the Indigenous Missionary Council, linked to the Brazilian bishops' conference.

In Amazon, mission work changed, but still means accompanying suffering

As bishops and pastoral workers from throughout the region meet at the Vatican Oct. 6-27 to discuss the church's response to the challenges of ministry in the Amazon, its missionary history will be unmistakable.

Vatican releases list of participants for Amazon synod

Pope Francis has named Cardinal Sean P. O'Malley of Boston and the other members of his international Council of Cardinals to be voting members of the Synod of Bishops for the Amazon.

Amazon inhabitants hope synod will address lack of priests

The upcoming Synod of Bishops for the Amazon will focus on the devastating effects of climate change on the environment and on indigenous communities, but it also will look at ways to meet the spiritual needs of the region's people.