ECOFEMINISM AND ECOTHEOLOGY IN THE ENCYCLICAL “QUERIDA AMAZÔNIA”: AN INTERSECTIONAL ANALYSIS

INTRODUCTION: The apostolic exhortation Querida Amazonia, published by Pope Francis in February 2020, presents a critical reflection on contemporary society, the Amazon region, and the environmental, social, and cultural problems faced by its communities. Using the metaphor of “dreams,” the pontiff proposes a social struggle aimed at inclusion, justice, and the transformation of the current system. In one of these dreams, he highlights the gift of women, their importance, and the way they are diminished in ecclesial society, pointing to the urgent need for change. AIMS: This study aims to analyze the main themes addressed in the Pope’s text, seeking to identify connections with ecofeminist thought, especially regarding social struggles, sustainable development, and social justice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Methodologically, the research adopted bibliographic analysis, through an in-depth reading of the exhortation Querida Amazonia and academic articles on the topic, with a view to understanding points of convergence with the ecofeminist perspective. RESULTS: The results reveal that the encyclical highlights the challenges faced by the Amazon as a result of colonization and the excessive exploitation of nature, deeply affecting the region’s social, cultural, and environmental contexts. The Pope’s proposal, expressed through the “dreams,” points to paths of societal transformation through justice, inclusion, sustainability, and the recognition of historically marginalized subjects. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS: By establishing a connection between Querida Amazonia and ecofeminist thought—which denounces the simultaneous oppression of women and nature by patriarchy—it becomes evident that both share an affinity regarding the valuing of women, especially in Amazonian religious and community contexts. This theoretical articulation was enriched by readings of The Danger of a Single Story by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (2019); Paths to Understanding Ecofeminist Theology by Ivone Gebara (2008); and Ecofeminist Hermeneutics and Ecotheology: Interfaces by Afonso Murad (2021). It is concluded that more inclusive approaches, which expand education on the knowledge of Indigenous peoples and the role of women, as well as a review of the regulation of access to Holy Orders, can contribute to overcoming the androcentric system and promote greater equality and participation in faith communities.

KEYWORDS: Women; Pope Francis; ecofeminism; justice; dreams; change.