Published on: 1 March 2016
In its fourth edition, in 2016 the Campaign for Ecumenical Fraternity (Campanha da Fraternidade Ecumênica: CFE) is counting on international reinforcements: the German cooperation agency Misereor has joined the initiative for the first time, strengthening discussions and reflections about the right to basic sanitation.
Misereor is an organization for the Catholic Church in Germany working in cooperation for development and is committed to the struggle against poverty in Africa, Asia and Latin America. In Brazil, it currently supports approximately 280 projects from organizations such as CESE, Caritas, the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil (Conferência Nacional dos Bispos do Brasil: CNBB), the Pastoral Land Commission (Comissão Pastoral da Terra: CPT) and the Fishermen’s Pastoral Council (Conselho Pastoral dos Pescadores: CPP).
“Having a joint campaign is extremely important for all of us at Misereor. I can say that it’s no longer possible to avoid seeing the world as a single entity. Everything is connected, at all levels. At the economic level, for example, we observe a growth model in Brazil that tramples on the rights of indigenous and traditional peoples. Everything is ‘for the benefit’ of growth on the international stage”, asserts Regina Reinart, who is in charge of projects for Brazil in Misereor’s Latin America Department.
In the following interview, Reinart provides the reasons that led the agency to join the Campaign for Ecumenical Fraternity and the importance of supporting projects in Brazil, given the current scenario of reversals in rights.
CESE – What importance and need did Misereor identify that made it decide to join the Campaign for Ecumenical Fraternity?
REGINA REINART – To understand both aspects [importance and need], we have to consider the history of the Campaign for Ecumenical Fraternity in Brazil. Incredible as it may seem, it has its origins in Misereor, since these fertile activities were born in the semi-arid region in the Northeast, the fruit of putting the Gospel into practice. The Archdiocese of Natal had received help, then called “Misereor Action”. Dom Heitor de Araujo Sales, from Rio Grande do Norte, was a priest at that time, studying in Europe and spending his holidays in Germany, where he had taken all the material of Misereor’s Campaign for Fraternity and its campaign publicity. The Campaign for Fraternity (CF) grew from there and relied on support from Dom Eugenio Sales and help from lay people. This was in 1962. From 1964 onwards, the CF then began a transition from local to national level. Personally, I am very happy that the Campaign for Ecumenical Fraternity began in 2000 (the year I arrived in Brazil). During my 12 years in Brazil, I have always participated in the campaigns and this year it was a very great privilege to be able to participate in the whole process with the National Council of Christian Churches of Brazil (Conselho Nacional de Igrejas Cristãs do Brasil: CONIC) and yes, with beloved people in the commission responsible for the CFE 2016.
Having a joint campaign is extremely important for all of us at Misereor. Currently, Misereor has approximately 280 projects in Brazil, with the CNBB, Caritas, the Indigenous Missionary Council (Conselho Indigenista Missionário: CIMI), the CPT and CPP, as well, of course, with CESE and many other NGOs, movements and pastorals. The partnership between Brazil and Misereor has grown organically. We have seen the country’s trajectory close up, from the military dictatorship (1964-1985) until the present day. We have many, so many, good examples of projects that have, in fact, influenced the situation in their location, region, and at national level. These projects have brought about important social change. We continue encouraging and supporting the process of civil participation, to strengthen beneficiary groups, so that one day they will be able to tackle issues and feel that they are citizens of the country. This includes children, young people and adults, and we are also concerned about indigenous and traditional peoples.
The current situation in Brazil worries us. We believe that we have to strengthen, even further, the projects and their planning, monitoring and evaluation processes. The themes we discuss with our partners in Brazil are human rights violations, climate change, agri-business and, indeed, the genocide of the indigenous peoples.
Regarding the need to organize a joint Campaign for Fraternity between Brazil and Misereor (Germany), I can say that it’s no longer possible to avoid seeing the world as a single entity. Everything is connected, at all levels. At the economic level, for example, we observe a growth model in Brazil that tramples on the rights of indigenous and traditional peoples. Everything is ‘for the benefit’ of growth on the international stage. For example, the way the Guarani Kaiowá peoples in Mato Grosso do Sul are treated is scandalous. The media shows us more and more scandals every day, about urban or police violence, about the injustices of large-scale multinational projects. We know about the irreparable damage the hydroelectric dams cause in the Legal Amazon Region. Belo Monte is an example that frightens all of us, without mentioning mention the consequences for local people. I would like to remember Sister Dorothy, who was cruelly murdered on 5 February 2005. Others have died in a similar way. Dom Erwin Kräutler, a great friend of Misereor, discussed this in Germany during the official opening of the Lent Campaign 2016.
We hope that the population and the German and Brazilian governments jointly assume responsibility for the COMMON HOME campaign and that “justice rolls on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream” (Amos 5:24). That we gather thousands of signatures against the dam on the River Tapajós and that these lead the Brazilian government to have a change of heart, so that the river dwelling peoples, the Munduruku people and all those living in the region do not suffer the consequences. And yes, so that populations in urban and rural areas achieve adequate basic sanitation and decent housing. My heart beats hard for a just Brazil! My thoughts and humble prayers go out directly to the Brazilian land and its beloved people.