The 10th biannual meeting of the social-pastoral network of Jesuits engaged with indigenous peoples of Latin America took place from 12 to 17 August in Peru. Delegates from nine countries represented 17 indigenous groups: Aymaras, Quichuas, Mam, Quechua, Awajún, Wampís, Guaranís, Raramuris, Tseltales, Ch’ol, Zoques, Mapuches, Moxos, Arhuacos, Wiwas, Kankuamos and Koguis.

In an unexpected turn of events, the local Awajún-Wampís, protesting against new government legislation, blocked all roads to Santa Maria de Nieva, where the meeting was supposed to take place. Participants therefore gathered first in Jaén and then in Chiclayo, in solidarity with the indigenous groups protesting infringement of their territorial rights and exploitation of their land by multinationals. Read Fernando Franco’s reflections on these events in our blog (in English).

Read a letter from the Jesuit parish priest in Santa Maria de Nieva to the delegates of the indigenous apostolate meeting (in Spanish) and his collection of local news items.

The pictures on our website were taken at the meeting by Fernando Franco – click “refresh” to see the next picture.