Letters from Overseas

October 2008

• Coordenadoria Ecumenico de Servico
  Caixa Postal: 041
  Salvador—Bahia
  CEP 40015-970
  BRAZIL

2008 Pax Christi International Peace Award

The 2008 Pax Christi International Peace Award was awarded recently to the Franciscan priest Dom Luiz Flávio Cappio, the bishop of Barra in the state of Bahia, Brazil. The award ceremony took place during a weekend of events entitled "Waters for Peace" in Sobradinho Bahia. Dom Cappio was honoured for his non-violent action in protest against the diversion of Brazil's third-largest river, the Rio São Francisco, to build more hydropower stations and supply water for industrial farming, shrimp production, and steel plants. The project would effectively destroy many villages of fisherfolk and riverbank inhabitants and would cause vast environmental damage.

I travelled to Sobradinho and had a small part in the presentation to Dom Luiz, representing both The United Church of Canada and CESE (Coordenadoria Ecumênica de Serviço), where I work.

Travelling to Sobradinho Bahia Brasil

The bus trip was about 10 hours each way. At about 4:00 a.m. on our way to Sobradinho and on the way home, we stopped at a rural convent and all 30 or so passengers had a warm shower, stretched, changed our clothes, replenished our water bottles, and had tea or coffee.

Our day in Sobradinho was a day of sun with temperatures in the 30s. A hot, dry, dusty, and brown day. Most fasted but I nibbled on fruit, biscuits, raisins, and plenty of water. About 200 of us were sheltering from the sun in the chapel and under nearby trees.

It was in every way a sanctuary of peace as we sat together in thought and prayer, sharing stories and singing. (I observed again that all Brazilians know all the words to all the hymns and songs ever written!)

Celebrating Dom Luiz and the Peace Award

The celebration was replete with important symbols, a moving presentation and inspiring words from Dom Luiz. Given an opportunity to speak briefly, I read one verse of scripture, Revelation 2:17, recalling the Rev. Bob Oliphant's message in Ottawa during the service celebrating our United Church's 80th anniversary.

On the stage, right beside me through the whole celebration, was a friendly but timid little goat. She and her owner live along the Rio São Francisco. Others on the stage included two women who balanced water jugs on their heads and slowly poured the water into large pots. Others carried baskets of fruits and vegetables, fishing nets and gear, and banners and posters. It was a perfect setting for the occasion.

The timid little animal at my side did not like the fireworks that exploded periodically nor the traditional percussive instruments played by a little girl and her mother as they danced and sang. The little goat reacted as might be expected—and more than once! But never a harsh glance from her master nor a sharp tug on her rope as she snuggled up to her owner's leg. It was one of the more subtle references to the importance of solidarity!

At the close of the ceremony, we began a four-kilometre walk in pilgrimage to the river—a few thousand of us, with Dom Luiz near the front of the crowd and the rest of us following along. At the end of the walk, at about 2:00 a.m., a tired company boarded the bus for the trip back to Salvador.

I pray that in his infinite wisdom, God will equip me to contribute to the various struggles for justice and fairness here in Brazil.

Paz e Bem,
Kathleen Stephenson

Kathleen Stephenson is a United Church of Canada Overseas Personnel serving with Coordenadoria Ecumenica de Servico (Ecumenical Service Coalition) in Brazil. The work of this ecumenical partner and the work of overseas personnel are made possible through your gifts to the Mission and Service Fund of The United Church of Canada.