It is not easy to share my experience of returning to Brazil after two years in the Philippines. I arrived in Brazil during a moment of high tension due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The political chaos faced by Brazil at the moment did not help, either.
The pandemic is still growing, generating fear and insecurity – and unemployment which increases the number of marginalized people. More and more lives are lost every day, and the president, Jair Messias Bolsonaro, does not agree to implement the recommendations made by the World Health Organization. Two Health Ministers have lost their positions (one was fired, and one resigned) for not agreeing with the president's position. Many governors and mayors decided not to follow the president's recommendations and subsequently mandated social distancing, following WHO's recommendations in an attempt to keep from overburdening the health system.
Upon my return, I was told that Labor Rights had been severely weakened and that an unfavorable Social Security Reform had taken place. Many public policies were dismantled, environmental protection took heavy blows, and so did the protection of the country's indigenous peoples. So, as you see, besides fighting the virus, Brazil faces one of the most severe political crises of its entire history. Following all that, social isolation began due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Clearly, I had arrived at a particularly bad moment. Social distancing was mandated for Jatai, the city where I was living. As we must stay in our homes, we cannot carry out any external activities. However, through the media, it is possible to learn that Brazil's population is torn apart in two main groups: one of those groups has been becoming more aware of how finite life is, and have, thus, been reviewing their perspectives on conviviality and quality of life, aiming at growing spiritually, valuing their families and the lives of all people. Such people agree with social distancing as a measure taken to curb the proliferation of the virus. They also agree with the emergency financial aid provided by the Federal Government to low-income populations, and they disagree with the Balsonaro administration’s decision to increase access to guns. The other group of people is against social distancing, against the financial aid to low-income populations, and in favor of wide access to firearms. These people support all of President Jair Messias Bolsonaro’s policies.

The experience of one of the mothers particularly touched me. She became aware that her daughter was no longer a child — that she had become a teenager. This threw the mother into a crisis, as she realized how much more she had valued making money to spending time with her daughter. Now that she had been forced to stop for a moment, she realized that making money is not the utmost priority in life. Instead, the dignity of families and people should come first. Hopefully, this isolation will help other people to come closer to their families and become aware of each person’s virtues and flaws. Perhaps this situation will encourage many people to review and change their ideas, particularly the those who are in disagreement with the commandments of God the Creator. That could be one positive amidst all this!
Nothing happens without the consent of God. He is in charge. Human beings are responsible for their actions. We must love one another, prioritize life, care for our planet Earth, and put our values in order, as we are only temporarily on this planet. We are confident that all this will pass. Nothing lasts forever. Other societies have faced worse and won!
May we take this opportunity to grab God's hand with all our strength and walk with faith, hope, and love. He is a profoundly loving Father. He will never forsake us. May we understand and follow the teachings of the Holy Father in his Encyclical Letter Laudato Si: "What kind of world do we want to leave to those who come after us, to children who are now growing up?" Such questions comprise the core of Pope Francis’ encyclical letter On Care for Our Common Home (Laudato Si). The Pope continues: "This question not only concerns the environment in isolation; the issue cannot be approached piecemeal…" Such a question makes us question ourselves about the meaning of existence, and not to forget the values which are at the base of social life. "What is the purpose of our life in this world? Why are we here? What is the goal of our work and all our efforts? What need does the earth have of us?". "Unless we struggle with these deeper issues,” says the Pontiff, “I do not believe that our concern for ecology will produce significant results." What matters is "to encourage a culture of care which permeates all of society" (n.231), because then "we can speak of a universal fraternity" (228).

Brazil needs to rescue its identity as a people rooted in solidarity. We need to care for the environment and our people! It is critical that humanitarian policies aimed at fighting hunger are resumed to allow this country, now hurting so much with both a pandemic and the political crisis, to recover. Let us walk hand in hand, following the teachings of Pope Francis. As Leonardo Boff states, "his message is of hope": Let us sing as we go. May our struggles and our concern for this planet never take away the joy of our hope." (n.244).

"Above all, it is not just about a green encyclical letter focusing on the environment, a key element in current discussions. It urges an integral ecology, encompassing environmental, social, political, cultural, mundane, and spiritual matters." (Leonardo Boff)

Sr. Maria Lucia Barbosa De Oliveira, Sfp

Published: June 25, 2020