Pope Vetoes Office-Holding Politicians as Guests at Amazon Synod

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – A month before the Amazon Synod is scheduled to take place in Rome in October, the Vatican is preparing the final list of Pope Francis’ special guests to take part in discussions on the rainforest, while vetoing the attendance of politicians who currently hold elective office.

“There will be no politicians now in office or military personnel. They will not take part,” Cardinal Cláudio Hummes, the Synod’s general rapporteur, appointed by the Pontiff, told O Estado de S. Paulo.

The Brazilian government had voiced its interest in having a say in the World Assembly of Bishops dedicated to discussing socio-environmental problems in the nine Amazon countries and the Catholic presence in the region, through diplomatic and military channels.

President Jair Bolsonaro considers that there is “much political influence” in the Synod.

The Pope has made room for non-religious guests, the so-called auditors and experts, and is expected to invite world dignitaries, scientists and environmentalists to attend advisory consultations. “The pope often talks about the necessary scientific foundation,” said the Cardinal.

Carlos Nobre is one of the Brazilian names on the list. He will take part in the first Synod activities, which will be held from October 6th to 27th.

An electronics engineer with a degree in Aeronautical Technology (ITA) and a PhD in Meteorology from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the USA, Nobre is one of the most respected climate change specialists in Brazil.

He was a researcher at the National Institute of Space Research (INPE) and the National Institute of Amazonian Research (INPA), in addition to having held management positions in federal agencies during PT governments of Lula and Dilma.

Some two weeks ago, Nobre was officially invited by an e-mail from the Vatican. The complete list is still kept secret by the Holy See, which is awaiting confirmation.

In addition to approximately 250 bishops, other Catholic leaders, such as priests and lay people, and representatives of indigenous peoples will also take part in the meeting.

In Nobre’s opinion, the Pope’s initiative “reflects the enormous global concern with the future of the Amazon”.

“This concern is supported, on a national scale, by the strong opposition of society as a whole to the deforestation of the Amazon and, on a regional scale, by the need to listen to the wishes of indigenous communities and other forest peoples who want to preserve their patrimony,” said the researcher.

The information is from the newspaper O Estado de S. Paulo.