In the next two years, the work of catholic missionaries with
Indian peoples in Brazil will place priority on the interreligious
dialogue and evangelization actions which respect the local cultures.
The decision was made during the 10th General Assembly of CIMI
(Indianist Missionary Council), which was held on July 26-30 in
Goia^nia, capital of the State of Goia's. The aim is to support Indian
peoples in the attainment of their autonomy as ethnically and
culturally differentiated peoples. CIMI is the agency of CNBB
(National Conference of Bishops of Brazil) responsible for the work
of the Church in Indian communities.
About 150 persons attended the Assembly, including bishops,
religious, and laymen. In it, the 21 years of CIMI's work were
evaluated and priorities set until 1995. The president of CNBB, dom
Luciano Mendes de Almeida, attended the Assembly and emphasized the
importance of the interreligious dialogue, recalling that each Indian
people has a religious experience of its own.
The demarcation of Indian lands was another priority approved by
the missionaries. In order to ensure that the Indians will indeed be
the owners of their territories, CIMI will continue to supports
actions aimed at recovering invaded areas and to denounce the
Brazilian government for not demarcating them. Ensuring the
demarcation of Indian lands has been one of CIMI's priorities since
it was founded.
The missionaries are also concerned with the self-sustenance of
Indian peoples. They will help them in actions aimed at ensuring
positive conditions for their future existence. Most economic
projects developed in Indian communities have failed so far. With the
aim of finding alternatives, studies will be carried out on economic
and symbolic indian systems, so that CIMI may define its policy in
relation to self-sustenance.
CIMI believes that only the Indians themselves can achieve their
autonomy. That is why it supports the Indian movement, contributing
to strengthen local organizations and promoting links between them on
a national level. The missionaries will also assist these organizations
for the purpose of making them responsible for the health, education,
and self-sustenance projects developed in India communities.
The training of missionaries and Indians will also be
particularly focused in the next two years. Conditions will be offered
to anable missionaries to develop a more conscious work in Indian
communities. If these priorities are to be achieved, CIMI must rely
on alliances with democratic and popular sectors not only in Brzil,
but also all over America and other continents.
Brasi'lia, August 5th, 1993
CIMI - Indianist Missionary Council