Bishop Mauricio Andrade from the Diocese of Brasilia will address global participants at the Landless Worker’s Movement (MST) National Congress in Brazil in February.
The Congress will bring together up to 20,000 people, including national activists, international partners, and social movements from around the world to discuss agriculture and land reform.
Studies and debates will take place, and there will be an opportunity for personal experiences to be heard. Key challenges and potential solutions for advocacy and land rights will be discussed and taken forward by the MST in their work.
Bishop Mauricio will present to the Congress to highlight the importance of religion in social change and its relevance to agriculture and land rights in Brazil. He will share again his commitment to the most vulnerable who face ongoing struggles for peace and land justice.
And 1500 children from around the world will participate in the Congress to attend educational workshops, exhibitions and an agroecological fair. This highlights the importance of educating children in key issues and debates, as they stand on the shoulders of this generation and are the future of world change and development.
Representatives from the Anglican Church in Brazil will take part in the Congress to continue their support for human rights and peasant movements in the country. They will be able to share their own experiences and how the Church is working to address the issues peasants and farmers face in their battle for land.
The Church is present in the politics that affect their communities, and their attendance at the Congress reaffirms their commitment to speaking out for the most vulnerable.
They are seeing the Congress as an “epiphanic opportunity to listen to God´s loving, caring and demanding voice.”
“Faithful love and truth have met, righteousness and peace have kissed. Truth springs up from the ground, righteousness gazes down from heaven. Yes, God gives what is good, and our land yields its produce. Righteousness walks before God, making a road for his steps” (Psalm 85:10-13).”
In the picture: Bishop Mauricio (centre) with government representatives and leaders from the Landless People’s Movement.
