PRESS RELEASE

Dialogue with the three vice-presidents of CEAMA and screening of the documentary 'Anamei

"Querido Abuelo Francisco". Thus begins the letter written to Pope Francis on 4 March 2023 by the three vice-presidents of the Ecclesial Conference of the Amazon (CEAMA): Patricia Gualinga, an indigenous Ecuadorian of the Sarayaku people, Yesica Patiachi, a Peruvian of the Harakbut ethnic group, and Sister Laura Vicuña, a Brazilian nun of the Franciscan Catechist Sisters and a Kiriri native. Three “guardians of the forest”, women who have chosen to live their lives as guardians of the Amazon for the survival of their peoples and all humanity. For this, and for the need to "seek together paths of communion and unity to reflect on the new ministries of women in the Church", the three expressed the desire to be able to dialogue with the Pope, who immediately invited them to meet him: he will receive them in audience on 1 June. "A gesture of attention that filled us with joy. And it confirms Francis' desire to continue walking together with the peoples of Amazonia along the path of the 2019 Synod at which we were present as auditors,' they recount.

On the occasion of their return to Rome, the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, in collaboration with the Dicastery for the Service of Integral Human Development, has organized on 6 June at 17.00 in the Sala Pio XI in Piazza San Calisto, 16 the screening of the documentary 'Anamei' by Alessandro Galassi, a story in images of the resistance and hope of the Amazonian peoples in the light of the Synod, in which Yesica Patiachi is the protagonist, among others. There will also be the photographic exhibition 'Amazonia' by COSPE, photos by Giovanni Marrozzini and Giammarco Sicuro.

At the end, the three vice-presidents of CEAMA, moderated by Lucia Capuzzi of "Avvenire", will tell the press about their dreams of Amazonia and its women for the Church and the world and will be available for interviews.

The event will be translated into Italian and English.

ACCREDITATION PROCEDURES

Journalists and media operators wishing to attend must apply, within 24 hours of the event, via the Holy See Press Office online accreditation system at: press.vatican.va/accreditations

Pontifical Commission for Latin America

Tel. (+39) 06 69 88 31 31 e-mail: pcal@americalatina.va