The dates of the Special Synod for the Amazon: from Sunday, October 6 to Sunday, October 27, 2019
The General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops announces that the Holy Father Francisco has convoked the Special Assembly of the Synod of Bishops for the Pan-Amazonian Region, from Sunday 6 to Sunday 27 October 2019 to reflect on the theme "Amazon: new paths for the Church and for an integral ecology ".
Pope Francis convened the meeting, to discuss environmental and religious issues in the Amazon and give special attention to the needs of indigenous communities there.
The region includes parts of Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Surinam, and French Guiana. The Vatican has invited 184 bishops and priests from those countries and from around the world to participate in the synod and vote on measures. Thirty-five women, mostly religious sisters, and nuns have been invited but will not have voting rights.
There will be 17 representatives of the Amazon's indigenous populations, including 9 women, will attend as well.
A 'green' synod
The agenda includes points on appreciating and protecting indigenous rituals and herbal medicine, especially when exploited by pharmaceutical companies; regulating industry which pollutes the environment and takes land from indigenous people; protecting the rainforests of the Amazon and assisting the poor and women.
Highlighting with the ecological theme of the meeting, the Vatican announced that it will introduce some environmentally friendly measures for the event, including biodegradable drinking cups, natural-fiber tote bags, and recycled paper.