Mission World - May, 2008
Bishops of the Peruvian rainforest worry about the marginalising and poverty of the indigenous people
Lima (FIDES) - The Bishops of the Ecclesial Jurisdictions of the Peruvian rainforest have issued a statement at the close of their Encounter for the Indigenous Pastoral Ministry of the Peruvian Rainforest, held in Lima, in which they express their concern for the situation of the indigenous peoples that live in one of the most fertile areas of the country, but who often suffer marginalisation and poverty.
Fifty two people participated in the Encounter, among them were the Bishops from the pertinent districts and a group of priests, missionaries, and pastoral care workers who work in the area.
According to the Bishops, "for many analysts, the Amazon is today the second most strategic geo-political region in the world, and in Peru, it forms over 60% of the national territory," with a great diversity of life forms. However, in addition to this diversity, there is also a great diversity of culture, "...vast areas of the Amazon's population live in conditions of extreme poverty and without the possibility of decent living conditions."
The Bishops are mostly concerned for "the process of private investments in the rainforest; the buying and selling of lands and forests; exploration, as well as, mineral and oil exploitation, because all these factors can present a threat to the physical and cultural survival of the indigenous people, as well as increase the social-environmental conflicts of the Amazon.
The Bishops ask that the plans should be made for development that includes the Amazon, however without disrespecting the existent cultures, the environment, and human rights. According to the Prelates, in drawing up such plans, some considerations must be made for "the law protection for the indigenous territories, the relationship established by the indigenous people with these lands, the respect for its institutions and authorities, the right to consult, citizen participation, and care for the environment."
The Bishops made an appeal to the Peruvian government, asking that they work to promote "an effective participation from those who are interested in the organising and carrying out of plans for the country's development. "The Amazon is an important part of the Americas and Peru. We are all united for the defense of life, values, and the progress of the indigenous peoples of the Peruvian Amazon," the statement concluded.
The Korean Church celebrates their martyrs and begins construction of a new Shrine
Daejon (FIDES) - The martyrs are a firmly established reference point for the Korean Church. They symbolise an entire tradition of faith and roots for the contemporary community of believers who celebrate and bear witness to the Gospel. In this spirit, Korean Catholics recently celebrated a Mass on commemoration of Korean martyrs in Hongju, where a tombstone is dedicated in their honour.
The place marks the site where 212 Korean martyrs, including Servants of God Peter Won Si-jang, James Won Si-bo, Simon Hwang Il-gwang, Andrew Yi Jae-haeng, Job Yi Il-eon, Peter Yi Tae-gwon, were put to death. There is another "site of martyrdom" in Korea often visited by the faithful and pilgrims. It is called Hwang Sae Bawee a Gongju, where 250 Christians were killed.
Today, in Hongju, Catholics are making efforts to construct an authentic Shrine in honour of the martyrs, who are the seeds of the Korean Church. Bishop Lazzaro You Heung-sik, Bishop of Daejeon, in an address to a crowd of over a thousand faithful invited all Christians living today to take up the example of the martyrs' testimony.
The Bishop also blessed the cornerstone of the new shrine, inviting all the faithful to participate in the project to construct a "Park of the Martyrs of Hongju," with Stations of the Cross, a church, and a house for receiving pilgrims.
