Amid a global landscape that saw the passing of the beloved Pope Francis in April 2025 and the election of Pope León XIV, the Church in Brazil prepares for a decisive moment. From April 15th to 24th, in the city of Aparecida, the spiritual cradle of the nation, Brazilian bishops gather for a General Assembly that promises to set the direction for evangelizing action in the coming years. The heart of this meeting is the vote on the new General Guidelines for Evangelizing Action, a document born not in offices, but on the ground of the community, through a long and careful process of listening.
The Synodal Process: Listening to the People of God
Since 2022, the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil (CNBB) embarked on a singular journey. Inspired by the spirit of the Synod on Synodality convened by Pope Francis, the Church in Brazil chose a path of collective discernment. Instead of a text drafted by a few, the new guidelines were born from the voice of communities, laypeople, religious, young people, and all who make up the living body of Christ. This method reflects the wisdom of the book of Proverbs:
"For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers." (Proverbs 11:14, NIV)The security for the future of evangelization lies precisely in these "many advisers," in the people of God who, guided by the Holy Spirit, point the way.
Aparecida: A Setting of Faith and Hope
It is no accident that the assembly takes place in Aparecida. The location is more than a geographical space; it is a symbol. The basilica dedicated to Our Lady of Aparecida, patroness of Brazil, is a testament to the popular faith that sustains the Church. Gathering there is to recognize the deep roots of Brazilian Catholicism, marked by devotion, resilience, and joy. It is an invitation to look to the future without forgetting where we come from, trusting as the psalmist:
"Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken." (Psalm 55:22, NIV)In a world shaken by uncertainties, the Church gathers under the maternal gaze of Mary to seek, together, divine sustenance for its mission.
The Content of the New Guidelines: Toward a Church Going Forth
Although the final text will be voted on at the assembly, the listening process has already indicated some central themes that should guide evangelization in Brazil. A document is expected that:
- Values synodality: Reinforces that the Church is a communion of journeyers, where all have a voice and a mission.
- Emphasizes attention to the poor and excluded: Following the legacy of Pope Francis and Christ's commandment to love our neighbor.
- Encourages the formation of welcoming communities: So that no one feels like a stranger in God's house.
- Embraces the challenges of digital culture: To bring the Gospel message to the new "areopagi" of the 21st century.
- Strengthens Christian hope and joy: As an antidote to discouragement and individualism.
These guidelines seek to make the Church ever more faithful to the missionary mandate left by Jesus:
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:19-20, NIV)The mission is clear, and the guidelines are like a map to fulfill it in the specific contexts of today's Brazil.
A Time of Grace Under the New Pontificate
This Brazilian moment intertwines with a new phase in the universal Church. With the election of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as Pope León XIV in May 2025, a new chapter begins. The CNBB assembly takes place in the first months of this pontificate, offering a unique opportunity for the Church in Brazil to align its evangelizing path with the vision of the new successor of Peter. It is a time of grace where local listening and universal communion meet, reminding us that, although the challenges are great, Christ's promise remains firm.
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