Luigi Bolla was born in Italy in 1932 and felt a vocation for missionary service from a young age. After becoming a Salesian, he was sent to Ecuador, to the Apostolic Vicariate of Méndez, a region dominated by the Shuar and Achuar ethnic groups. In a context where the predominant idea was to ‘civilise’ the Amazonian peoples, Fr Bolla soon realised that his mission was not to impose a foreign culture, but to accompany and strengthen the identity of these peoples.
For a long time, missionary work in the region had consisted of placing children and young people in educational institutions with the intention of ‘integrating’ them into the mestizo society. Fr Bolla, however, discovered that this method led to a loss of identity and a sense of inferiority among the indigenous people. Instead of seeing them as ‘savages’ who needed to be transformed, he recognised them as a noble people with a rich culture and much to teach.
In his writings, Fr Bolla emphasised that the dignity of a human being lies in his identity and sense of belonging. For this reason, he endeavoured to learn the language and customs of the Achuar, earning their respect and trust. He never criticised their culture, but tried to understand it and accompany it in its evolution, without losing its essence.
The Second Vatican Council had a profound influence on the way Fr Bolla understood his missionary work. The openness of the Church towards an inculturated evangelisation provided him with the basis for his work. His goal was not to ‘convert’ the Achuar into Christianised westerners, but to proclaim the Gospel starting from their reality, respecting their worldview and accompanying them on their journey of faith.
Fr Bolla dedicated his entire life to the Achuar, living among them, sharing their daily life and learning from their wisdom. His main concern was that, in their process of change and modernisation, they would not lose their pride and identity.
‘Yankuam’ was not only a missionary, but a brother to the Achuar, a witness of faith and a bridge between cultures. His legacy still lives on in the Amazon rainforest and in the memory of those who continue his work.
Fr Bolla's beatification process is underway and his figure is remembered with great respect and admiration. His life leaves everyone with a clear message: evangelising does not mean imposing, but accompanying with humility and love, recognising the beauty of every culture and the dignity of every person.
Source: Salesianos.pe
