On March 19 and 20, the General Secretary of the CNBB, Dom Dimas Lara Barbosa, accompanied the Indigenist Missionary Council (CIMI) on a visit to the Guarani Kaiowá communities in the region of Dourados in Mato Grosso do Sul. Dom Dimas became intimately acquainted with the reality of the communities of Laranjeira Ñanderu, Pasu Piraju and Guyraroká.

 

In the Laranjeira Ñanderu community encampment, which is on the side of the road, Dom Dimas could see the situation of a people who struggle to return to their traditional territory, but who live in abject misery and abandonment. In tents of black plastic under a scalding sun, without potable water, they are depending on basic food baskets because they have nowhere to plant or hunt. “We have an inhuman situation in this encampment. We have to take concrete measures as rapidly as possible”, stated the bishop. Also present were Bishop of the Xingu and President of CIMI, Dom Erwin Kräutler, and Federal Prosecutor from the MPF, Marco Antnio Delfino Neto.

 

In the Guyraroká community, the bishop heard deeply moving reports from the parents and spouse of Rolindo Vera, the teacher disappeared during the retaking of their traditional land.  They came from the community of Ypo’í to report their realities. The bishop was also presented with several reports on violence suffered by these peoples in several different communities, when he made clear that the question of the land is most urgent. “The CNBB has already sent a letter to President Lula requesting agility in these demarcations”, he said.

 

In Pasu Piraju, where the indigenous people live confined in a very small space, the Secretary of the CNBB heard 78 year old leader Carlitos, who does not resign himself to living in such a constricted space. “We are here as slaves, quite simply because we are not able to leave here” stated the leader.

 

With his presence, Dom Dimas is also able to leave a message of hope with the Guarani. “We will achieve victory, we cannot lose hope, we cannot be discouraged!”, he declared.

 

 

Photo Essay on the visit of CIMI to Mato Grosso do Sul

 

March 9-20, 2010 visit by President of the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil, Dom Dimas and President of CIMI and Bishop of the XINGU Dom Erwin Kräutler

 

contributing photographers:

Cleymenne Cerqueira/Cimi

Maíra Heinen/Cimi