A senior Roman Catholic bishop has criticized Brazil's government for energy and agriculture policies that he said were destroying the Amazon forest and threatening the livelihood of local populations.

The comments are likely to increase pressure on Brazil's government to rein in deforestation. Brazil is the world's largest Catholic country and the church remains highly influential despite falling membership. Werlang's warning follows disagreement within the government of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva over increasing Amazon deforestation rates.