As the dust settles on the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Belém, Brazil, I find myself reflecting on a journey that was as much a spiritual pilgrimage as it was a diplomatic mission. Representing VIVAT International alongside my colleagues Albersia Hope Tapoona, SSpS, and Gabriela Lado, CMS, we stepped into the heart of the Amazon to bear witness to the defining crisis of our time.
Our presence in Belém was a testament to the power of collaboration. Through shared credentials and partnerships with fellow organizations, we ensured that the voices of our congregations were present in the halls where the world’s future is debated.
The Power of Presence: Beyond the Negotiation Tables
While policy debates and official interventions often define COP, our role as “faith activists” offered something different: energy and solidarity. We spent our days not just watching presentations, but engaging in the vital “after-table” conversations—the reflections and personal dialogues that build critical mass and communal understanding. In these spaces, the Catholic Church showed a massive, coordinated front. Alongside the Holy See, the Brazilian Bishops, REPAM, and the Laudato Si’ Movement, VIVAT stood with over 100 NGOs to advocate for “ecological conversion.”
“I could feel how the presence of men and women of faith elevates the energy of cries of pain and denunciation. It confirmed that we religious women must be present in these spaces—not only to provide arguments but to echo the cries of the marginalized.”
Strengthening Local Roots
A strategic highlight of this COP was VIVAT’s decision to appoint members from Brazil to participate. This choice yielded significant fruits:
- Organizational Growth: It strengthened the VIVAT network in Brazil through parallel events such as the People’s Summit and Tapiri.
- Stewardship: By utilizing local representatives, we reduced travel costs and carbon footprints.
- A Call to Growth: The experience highlighted the necessity for our members to achieve fluency in English to fully engage in international advocacy, ensuring our local wisdom is never lost in translation.
Key Takeaways for our Mission
As we look toward the future of climate justice, two realizations stand out as particularly urgent:
- The Guardians of the Territory: There is a renewed sense of urgency in defending the causes of Indigenous and Afro-descendant communities. They are not just victims of climate change; they are the solution. By defending their territories, they provide the most comprehensive defense of our planet’s climate.
- Spiritual Energy as Healing: I was deeply inspired by the shift toward seeing faith communities as religious and spiritual experiences rather than just established institutions. This “spiritual energy” is a path toward integral healing—addressing the biological, psychological, social, and spiritual wounds of our Earth.
A March of Unity
The hallmark of my experience was the People’s Summit, where more than 50,000 people marched under a scorching sun. That march was a physical manifestation of strength, unity, and purpose. It reminded me that while the climate crisis is daunting, the collective will of the people—fueled by faith and a love for the Creator’s work—is a power that cannot be ignored.
As we move forward, we carry the heat of Belém and the cries of the Amazon in our hearts, committed more than ever to the path of climate justice.
Petronella Maria Boonen, SSpS, VIVAT Brazil
View the COP30 daily blog here.
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