A Brazilian of the Yanomami tribe will be the special guest at CAFOD's annual pilgrimage to Holy Island this year.
Davi Kopenawa Yanomami is a member of the Yanomami índios in Brazil, and a spokesman on tribal issues and Amazon Rainforest conservation. CAFOD supports Hutukara, an indigenous grassroots organisation of which Davi is president. He will be joining pilgrims for the day on June 13 to walk across the Pilgrims' Way from the main land to the island. Davi will also lead the reflection at key points along the way with reflections from his own tradition, focussing on how we live in harmony with God's creation.
CAFOD Hexham & Newcastle Diocesan Manager Anne-Marie Hanlon said: "This is a real honour for us, and we are thrilled to have Davi coming to Holy Island this year. He is an inspirational speaker and comes from a tradition where people are still fundamentally linked to their environment. It will be very interesting to hear what he has to say about climate change, and also to hear how his customs value the stories of his ancestors just as he will hear how we revere our Northern saints.”
Brazilian Davi Kopenawa Yanomami will be the special guest at CAFOD's annual pilgrimage to Holy Island this year.
Davi is a well-known figure internationally as one of the few indigenous Brazilians to have taken on the role of speaking out for tribal traditions. His personal motivation came in part from his wife's experience of losing much of her family to measles and other diseases brought to Yanomami areas in the 1970s by road construction crews and small-time gold miners. He has been described as "probably the most important of all Yanomami who have emerged as public figures".
Because of the tides, last year's pilgrimage took place on the island, but this year organisers are returning to the usual plan to walk to the island via the Pilgrims Way. Coaches gather at Purdy Lodge on the A1 - 14 miles north of Alnwick - to leave together by 10.15am. The walk across the Pilgrims' Way begins at 11am. For those not walking, there is a pilgrimage liturgy at St Aidan's Church at 12 noon. Mass will be celebrated by Fr Peter Keeling at 1.45pm beside St Aidan's statue outside the Priory. Safe crossing times on June 13 are from 9.35am until 5.40pm.
St Mary's Vicarage Gardens will be open for picnics from 12 noon for those who want to take advantage of the hospitality and see some tremendous views.
CAFOD is asking those arranging coaches or planning to drive to the island to let them know in advance so they have an idea of numbers by ringing on 0191 373 5001.
For more information, or to register cars or coaches, contact CAFOD Hexham & Newcastle on 0191 373 5001.
Picture - thanks to Luciano Padrão