Indigenous tell pope they face genocide, thank church for solidarity

Published: 2007-05-14

SAO PAULO, Brazil (CNS) -- Representatives of four Brazilian indigenous organizations wrote Pope Benedict XVI, graphically describing the problems and threats facing the country's native peoples. The indigenous organizations used the word "genocide" to describe the "persecution, land takeovers, murders, epidemics, sterilization of indigenous women and contraceptive measures imposed by governments, neglect and breakup of our communities" during the past century, but highlighted "the solidarity of the church and countless missionaries throughout the country." "We wish to transmit some of our anguish and hope, counting on your friendship and solidarity in building a more just and harmonious continent and world," said the letter, presented to the pope May 10 by Cardinal Paulo Evaristo Arns, retired archbishop of Sao Paulo. According to the Indigenous Missionary Council, the Brazilian Catholic Church's office on indigenous affairs, Brazil has 241 indigenous groups with a total of 734,000 people who speak 180 languages. Nearly 1,500 groups of peoples have disappeared since the 1500s, when Europeans arrived in South America.

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