Comboni Lay Missionaries

Logo LMC
LMCCentroafrica2
MisionenGuerrero2
Natal20162

JPIC_en

Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation

Continuing along the CLM itinerary, reflecting on Integral Ecology

by
LMC Brasil

On the Wednesday of Holy Week, we visited the Brumadinho Memorial, a place of remembrance and “a victory for the families of the 272 victims of the Córrego do Feijão mine dam collapse, which occurred on 25 January 2019 in Brumadinho, Minas Gerais”.

This was a visit that made us stop and ask ourselves: “What are we doing to our planet?” We left deeply affected by the history of the place, the trail of destruction left by mining, and the feeling that whilst places may change, the destructive practice of the current model of exploitation remains the same in many places. Affected communities, the loss of lives, the destruction of rivers and entire ecosystems, and a deep sense of impunity.

Before and After the Breakup – Source – Correio Braziliense

Everything we saw, heard and felt made us reflect on the need to deepen our understanding of the Spirituality of Integral Ecology, which reconnects us with our common home, with our brothers and sisters, and reminds us that everything is interconnected.

CLM Brazil

Be courageous! Get up!

by
CLM Germany

Joint weekend of the CLM with Fathers Günther and Hubert to prepare for the National Catholic Meeting in Würzburg

From February 27 to March 1, at the Comboni Missionaries’ house in Nuremberg, we worked on the theme of the National Catholic Meeting, “BE COURAGEOUS! GET UP!”

On Friday and Saturday, we focused on the concrete preparation in terms of organization and content for the Comboni Family pavilion. We received statements from friends of the Comboni Family worldwide on the question: What gives me the strength to get up (always)? These should be visible at the stand, as well as the spirituality, commitment, and projects of the Comboni Family. The doll “Danielle,” handmade by Brigitte, should encourage passersby to reflect on what gives them the strength to get up—perhaps in this way we can make contact with them.

For families with small children, a small booklet was created with suggestions on how the family can follow the path of Jesus.

It was a weekend of constructive and creative work. We are looking forward to the days in Würzburg and hope for fruitful encounters.

At the final Eucharistic celebration on Sunday, we exchanged detailed ideas about the biblical passage from the Gospel of Mark (Mk 10:46-52) that is behind the theme.

Perhaps we will see each other in Nuremberg?

CLM, Germany

Collective planting commemorates Edvard Dantas and reinforces the fight for environmental justice in Piquiá da Conquista

by
Brasil Açailandia

An initiative by the Edvard Dantas Collective, Justiça nos Trilhos (JnT) and residents of the resettlement reaffirms their commitment to memory, environmental justice, and the future of the territory.

Among the hands that sow, there is memory, there is courage, there is commitment. Photo: Edvard Dantas Collective

On January 23, 2020, Açailândia (MA) bid farewell to Edvard Dantas Cardeal, one of the main leaders in the struggle for the resettlement of the community affected by industrial pollution in the municipality. Six years later, his memory continues to mobilize the territory he helped build.

On the morning of Saturday, January 24, residents participated in a collective planting at the Piquiá da Conquista Resettlement Square. The activity was organized by the Edvard Dantas Collective, Justiça nos Trilhos (JnT), and the community itself, marking the beginning of a permanent tree planting agenda for the neighborhood.

The action is part of a broader project to strengthen the environment of the territory, which still faces a significant lack of green areas.

“This was a special moment for the community. We started the first of many plantings and chose this date because it reinforces the importance of the struggle and keeps alive the memory of Mr. Edvard Dantas Cardeal, who played a fundamental role in the conquest of this neighborhood. Our goal is to transform Piquiá da Conquista into the most wooded neighborhood in Açailândia,” said João Paulo, a popular educator at Justiça nos Trilhos and member of the Edvard Dantas Collective.

The Piquiá da Conquista resettlement was the result of years of mobilization against the socio-environmental impacts suffered in the former Piquiá de Baixo neighborhood. The construction of the new territory represented a historic victory for community organization. Now, the consolidation of a healthy and environmentally balanced space is a permanent challenge.

For Antônia Flávia Nascimento, a resident of the neighborhood and member of the Edvard Dantas Collective, planting has both symbolic and practical dimensions.

“This activity is not only important for reviving the story of Mr. Edvard, who started this process and contributed greatly to making it happen. It is also important for reforestation, for bringing life. We depend on the oxygen that comes from trees, and here in Piquiá da Conquista there is a great shortage of trees,” she said.

Antônia also highlighted the participation of children in the activity as a strategic element for building a sense of belonging and environmental awareness.

Environmental justice begins on the ground we walk on. Photo: Edvard Dantas Collective

“Often, for them, it’s just a matter of putting their hands in the soil. But when they watch the trees grow and say ‘I planted this,’ they begin to understand that they are part of this process. Planting trees is planting life.”

By combining memory, community mobilization, and environmental recovery, collective planting reaffirms the political identity of Piquiá da Conquista. A territory that was born out of resistance continues to organize the present to ensure the future.

By Lanna Luz

Journalist for Justiça nos Trilhos

Original link: https://justicanostrilhos.org/plantio-coletivo-marca-memoria-de-edvard-dantas-e-reforca-luta-por-justica-ambiental-em-piquia-da-conquista/

Coming together strengthens our collective journey

by
COP30_Brasil

Participating in COP-30 in November 2025 and the Comboni Family Forum was a very memorable experience in my life. These were intense days of listening, learning, and sharing, during which I was able to closely follow important debates on climate justice, care for our Common Home, and the defense of peoples and territories.

During those days, I had some very meaningful experiences, such as Tapiri, a space for interreligious dialogue marked by respect, listening, and diversity of beliefs. I also had the opportunity to learn more about the work that the Comboni Missionaries do in other countries, which broadened my view of the struggles, challenges, and commitments undertaken in different realities.

Another very important moment was the visit to the community of Piquiá. This visit allowed us to present to the participants of the Comboni Family Forum, who came from outside, a little of our history, our struggles, and the resistance of our people. They visited the Frei Tito Community Center and also communities in the interior. It was a moment of sharing, visibility, and strengthening of our collective journey.

It was very good to see people again, talk to new people, and learn about different cultures. I take with me every conversation, every lesson learned, and every story lived. It was a remarkable experience, and I returned even stronger to continue on the journey, with faith, responsibility, and commitment to social and environmental transformation.

Mainara Bezerra, young woman from Piquiá/MA/Brazil