VOICES FOR THE AMAZON
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In July, Sarah duPont of Amazon Aid Foundation will return to Rome by invitation to meet with some of Pope Francis’ advisors on climate change and environmental protection. This trip to the Vatican is a follow-up to a visit by Sarah duPont in January 2018, when she had an opportunity to screen the documentary film River of Gold with members of the Pope’s inner circle focusing on issues surrounding global climate change.

On Jan 22, Sarah duPont and representatives from Amazon Aid met with Father Michael Perry and his team from the Franciscan order in Rome to discuss the the importance of the Amazon, the global implications of its destruction and solutions for protecting it. On Jan 23, Amazon Aid met with the team at the Vatican, including Sister Sheila Kinsey and Father Joshtrom Kureetham for a screening of River of Gold and discussion. While there, the AAF team also met with Cardinal Peter Turkson, one of the Pope’s leads on climate change, and who is speculated to be the next Pope.

Pope Francis recently stated that the Amazon is “the heart of the Catholic Church”. Amazon Aid was invited to share our educational materials and be part of the Catholic Church’s conversation to find the best ways to activate global audiences for protecting the Amazon’s critical ecosystem, indigenous peoples, and all living beings that dwell there. The Church will have a synod in 2019 and Amazon Aid has already been invited to participate.

When visiting the Vatican, AAF shared film productions Anthem for the Amazon, Mercury Uprising, and River of Gold (for internal, informational use by the Holy See).

Amazon Aid has also been invited to share their curriculum materials when completed.

In addition, Sarah duPont met with the following at the Vatican at the screening of River of Gold and other meetings:

Tebaldo Vinvuguerra
Augusta Zampini Davies
Secreteria del Prefetto
‎Flaminia Giovanelli
Adriana Opromolla
Roberto Carrasco – from Peru
Mons. Silvano Maria Tomasi