The life of the bishop of Sao Felix do Araguaia, Mato Grosso,
Brazil -- Dom Pedro Casaldaliga -- is being threatened by local
landholders, according to the Prelacy and the National
Secretariat of the Pastoral Land Comission (CPT).
In late October, Dom Casaldaliga received the following warning:
- three local landholders were contracting a hired killer from
Aragaracas, state of Goias, to murder the bishop for a sum
equivalent to US $ 20,500.
These threats result from the Prelacy's defense of native
peoples' land rights in an area disputed by landholders known as
Fazenda Suia' Missu. The tension in that area has increased since
Brazil's Ministry of Justice issued a decree on Sept. 30, 1993
establshing a Xavante area of 168,000 hectares in the Fazenda
Suia' Missu.
We request that all concerned organizations and network users
send telegrams or faxes to the following addresses:
Procurador Geral da Justica
Av. L2-Sul Quadra 603 - lote 23
70200-901 - Brasi'lia - DF
Brazil
Fax: 55-61-313 53 88
Mauri'cio Correa
Ministro da Justica
Esplanada dos Ministe'rios
Gabinete do Ministro
70000-900 - Brasi'lia - DF
Brazil
Fax: 55-61-321 51 45
55-61-321 51 72