Each year, in December, Dominicans world-wide focus on a country or region where Dominican Sisters, Brothers and Laity are in mission. Because this year the focus is on peace in Amazonia and Dominicans are in six of the nine countries in Amazonia, we have been encouraged to learn in months rather than a month. Over the next few months, we will highlight the four interconnected Amazonia themes. These are: the cry of the land, the cry of the poor, improved education, and volunteering. A video of the history of the Month for Peace tradition and an explanation on 2023 Amazonia found at https://youtu.be/OMEIljcqbu4.
Did you know?
- THE AMAZON RAINFOREST spans 8 countries and one overseas territory in South America and represents an area twice the size of India.
- THE AMAZON is home to 47 Million people, including more than 2 Million Indigenous people. More than 400 different Indigenous groups live in the Amazon, which is more than anywhere else on earth, and around 300 indigenous languages are spoken throughout the Amazon.
- In just 50 years, almost 20 percent of the Amazon rainforest has been destroyed. Scientists warn that we’re dangerously close to the forest’s breaking point: 25 percent deforestation. At that point, the forest risks collapsing in on itself and transitioning to scrubby savannah.
CLICK HERE to take Action to Stop drilling in the Amazon which is contributing to widespread drought. The Amazon is suffering a record-breaking drought, threatening the lives of over 400,000 people. Major rivers are reduced to a trickle, with hundreds of rare pink dolphins ‘boiled’ to death and communities stranded without food and water.
For a deeper dive into Amazonia resources from the Order of Preachers for ‘the cry of the Earth’ please CLICK HERE.
CLICK HERE to listen to the Podcast, ‘Amazonia - Dominicans in Solidarity with Creation’ featuring Father Brendan Curran and Sister. Mila Díaz Solono. Sister Mila Díaz Solono, OP, is a native of Tarma, Peru, and currently serves on the leadership team of the Dominican Sisters of Springfield. Father Brendan Curran, OP, is a friar of the Dominican Central Province and is the North American co-promoter for Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation.