H. Em. Card. Leonardo Steiner, Archbishop of Manaus (Brazil) in a group photo with representatives from CIMI, COMECE and Brussels-based Catholic organisation. (Photo: COMECE)
A delegation from the Indigenous Missionary Council (CIMI), led by His Eminence Cardinal Leonardo Steiner, visited the Secretariat of COMECE on Monday, 27 October 2025, to draw attention to the situation of indigenous peoples in Brazil and across South America. Photo Gallery
The delegation emphasised the importance of maintaining high due diligence standards for companies, including European businesses operating in South America, in order to prevent human rights violations and environmental damage.
The call of the Indigenous Missionary Council (CIMI) also encompasses the need to ensure the effective participation of indigenous peoples in decision-making processes affecting their lives.
Marcley Araújo Souza, Advisor to the Council of Chiefs of the Pataxó people. (Photo: COMECE)
The delegation invited COMECE and its partners to advocate with the EU institutions to employ their diplomatic, economic, and human rights instruments to advance the demarcation of indigenous territories across Brazil and the wider region. The CIMI delegation also called on the European Union to extend effective support to local human rights and environmental defenders, who often face violence, discrimination, and threats to their lives.
Led by His Eminence Cardinal Leonardo Steiner, Archbishop of Manaus (Brazil), the delegation also included Marcley Araújo Souza, Advisor to the Council of Chiefs of the Pataxó people, and Luis Ventura Fernández, Executive Secretary of the Indigenous Missionary Council.
COMECE facilitated a series of meetings with Church and EU representatives. Following a meeting with the Apostolic Nuncio to the EU, His Excellency Monsignor Bernardito Cleopas Auza, the delegation met with Brussels-based Catholic organisations. The delegation was also received by representatives of the European Parliament.
H. Em. Card. Leonardo Steiner, Archbishop of Manaus (Brazil), head of the CIMI delegation to Brussels. (Photo: COMECE)
In these meetings, the delegation encouraged the Church to raise awareness of the situation of indigenous communities across South America by promoting effective action and communication at local, regional, national, and international levels.
Besides Brussels, the advocacy tour of the Indigenous Missionary Council across Europe included Austria, Germany, France and Italy.
The organisation of this visit is part of COMECE’s longstanding advocacy efforts to promote the dignity and rights of indigenous peoples and to ensure effective corporate social responsibility.