Padre Volnei
- 17 Mar 08, 11:30 AM
Posted from: S茫o Raimundo do Jarau谩 in the Sustainable Development Reserve, Mamirau谩.
Catholic Padre Volnei announced his arrival at Sao Raimundo de Jaraua by loudly hooting his horn on board his little boat. He was greeted by his many followers in the community and by us too - who were eagerly waiting for him as he had promised to bring us more cigarettes from town. There are no shops here and he became our only hope!
Padre Volnei is a Catholic priest from Sao Paulo and he has been taking care of the Jaraua parish for seven years. He lives in the local town of Alvar茫s, about three hours boat trip from the communities, and he comes to visit his sheep here about twice a month. He loves his work in the community but is coming to the end of his stint here and after seven years he will soon go back to Sao Paulo and will then be sent to Rome for a year. He says he misses the Amazon, its people and nature already!
Padre Volnei talks to Bruce 
He walked round the community in his shorts and stripy t-shirt, with a large wooden cross hanging on a necklace greeting everyone and spreading his laughter and joy to all. Early next morning he celebrated mass in the small village church and christened three young children. In his sermon he spoke of loving your neighbour including those of different beliefs. He said that in heaven there would be no religions, no differences between Muslims, Jews and Christians, and so it should be one earth.
This is no regular Padre, this is a padre who has adopted many jungle ways and one of his favourite pastimes is cayman hunting! He hunts them for their meat, which he thinks is a delicacy. In these parts cayman meat is not appreciated, but Padre loves it. As he greeted the locals he was presented with a brand new harpoon for his cayman hunting adventures.
Find out more about Amazonas wildlife.
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