The following is the telegram sent by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, on behalf of the Holy Father Leo XIV, to the bishops of the Ecclesial Conference of the Amazon, gathered from 17 to 20 August in Bogotá, Colombia:

Telegram

HIS MOST REVEREND EMINENCE

CARD. PEDRO RICARDO BARRETO JIMENO, S.J.

PRESIDENT OF THE ECCLESIAL CONFERENCE OF THE AMAZON

THE HOLY FATHER, POPE LEO XIV, CORDIALLY GREETS YOUR EMINENCE, AS WELL AS THE PARTICIPANTS IN THE MEETING OF THE BISHOPS OF THE AMAZON, BEING HELD FROM AUGUST 17 TO 20 IN BOGOTÁ.

HIS HOLINESS THANKS YOU FOR YOUR EFFORTS MADE TO PROMOTE THE GREATER GOOD OF THE CHURCH IN FAVOUR OF THE FAITHFUL OF THE BELOVED AMAZONIAN TERRITORY AND, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT WHAT WAS LEARNED IN THE SYNOD REGARDING THE LISTENING TO AND PARTICIPATION OF ALL VOCATIONS IN THE CHURCH, HE EXHORTS YOU TO SEEK, ON THE BASIS OF THE UNITY AND COLLEGIALITY PROPER TO AN “EPISCOPAL BODY” (CF. FINAL DOCUMENT OF THE SPECIAL SYNOD FOR THE AMAZON, 115), WAYS TO HELP DIOCESAN BISHOPS AND APOSTOLIC VICARS CONCRETELY AND EFFECTIVELY CARRY OUT THEIR MISSION. IN THIS REGARD, HE INVITES YOU TO KEEP IN MIND THREE DIMENSIONS THAT ARE INTERCONNECTED IN THE PASTORAL WORK OF THAT REGION: THE MISSION OF THE CHURCH TO PROCLAIM THE GOSPEL TO ALL (CF. DECREE AD GENTES, 1), THE JUST TREATMENT OF THE PEOPLES WHO DWELL THERE, AND THE CARE OF THE COMMON HOME.

IT IS NECESSARY THAT JESUS CHRIST, IN WHOM ALL THINGS ARE RECAPITULATED (CF. EPH 1,10), BE ANNOUNCED WITH CLARITY AND IMMENSE CHARITY AMONG THE INHABITANTS OF THE AMAZON, SO THAT WE MAY STRIVE TO GIVE THEM FRESH AND PURE THE BREAD OF THE GOOD NEWS AND THE HEAVENLY FOOD OF THE EUCHARIST, THE ONLY MEANS TO TRULY BE THE PEOPLE OF GOD AND THE BODY OF CHRIST.

IN THIS MISSION, WE ARE MOVED BY THE CERTAINTY, CONFIRMED BY THE HISTORY OF THE CHURCH, THAT WHEREVER THE NAME OF CHRIST IS PREACHED, INJUSTICE RECEDES PROPORTIONALLY, FOR, AS THE APOSTLE PAUL ASSERTS, ALL EXPLOITATION OF MAN BY MAN DISAPPEARS IF WE ARE ABLE TO RECEIVE ONE ANOTHER AS BROTHERS AND SISTERS (CF. PHLM 1,16).

WITHIN THIS PERENNIAL DOCTRINE, NO LESS EVIDENT IS THE RIGHT AND DUTY TO CARE FOR THE “HOME” THAT GOD THE FATHER HAS ENTRUSTED TO US AS DILIGENT STEWARDS, SO THAT NO ONE IRRESPONSIBLY DESTROYS THE NATURAL GOODS THAT SPEAK OF THE GOODNESS AND BEAUTY OF THE CREATOR NOR, MUCH LESS, SUBJECTS ONESELF TO THEM AS A SLAVE OR WORSHIPER OF NATURE, SINCE THINGS HAVE BEEN GIVEN TO US IN ORDER TO ATTAIN OUR END OF PRAISING GOD AND THUS OBTAINING THE SALVATION OF OUR SOULS (CF. ST. IGNATIUS OF LOYOLA, SPIRITUAL EXERCISES, 23).

WITH THESE WISHES, THE HOLY FATHER WHOLEHEARTEDLY IMPARTS THE IMPLORED APOSTOLIC BLESSING, WHICH HE IS PLEASED TO EXTEND TO ALL WHO ARE ENTRUSTED TO YOUR PASTORAL CARE.

CARDINAL PIETRO PAROLIN
SECRETARY OF STATE