A community of indigenous theologians has offered a message, “Our Living Word for all Peoples,” that holds particular meaning amid violence suffered by indigenous people in the Bolivia, Chile and Ecuador.
The message speaks to the interrelatedness of all that surrounds us. “We flatly denounce the criminalization of our bodies, struggles, and resistances,” reads the message. “This criminalization is supported by an old colonial religious prejudice that equates us with demons, terrorists, and criminals, with the intent to disqualify bodies, struggles, and resistances.”
The theologians demanded that religions, churches and Christian denominations respect their spiritualities and their sacred manifestations.
“We join peoples in resistance, especially Bolivia and Chile, where they are facing the impositions of hegemonic, totalitarian, and belligerent policies,” reads the message. “We invite you to take on the task of being sentinels and guardians of those powers that seek to confuse and entangle us to take advantage of the situation and attack us.”