Prefect Card. Farrell: “The Synod of the Amazon region can inspire the lay faithful of the world.”

“Listening to these people, who fight to know God, was one of the best experiences of my life […] The Church of the Amazon is a very lively Church, strong with a local population that gathers to listen to the Word of God and to learn how to put it into practice. For me, it was a great example of what the Church asks us to do as baptized persons,” explained Cardinal Farrell in a video interview, emphasizing also the strong testimony of the laity from among the indigenous cultures who participated in the work of the smaller discussion groups.

“What struck me the most,” he added, “was the desire of these people to know the Gospel. They accept it, understand it, and translate it into their own language every day. We take everything for granted, while these people must conquer everything for themselves: there is a need for them to translate the Bible into their native language.”

With respect to how the lay faithful can put into practice the complete conversion mentioned in the final document of the Amazon Synod, Cardinal Farrell recalls among other things the necessity of rebuilding a personal relationship with God and with creation.

“Our pastoral care includes all of God’s creation, including the human person and including the natural world which we enjoy. We have to take care of it. Nature will not last until we take care of it.” He summarizes.

The Amazon Synod took place from 6 – 27 October, with the participation of more than fifty lay people.