Bishops of Peru on National Holidays 2024: Let’s recover hope in Peruvianness

On the occasion of the celebration of the National Holidays this July 28, the president of the Peruvian Episcopal Conference (CEP), Mons. Miguel Cabrejos, made an urgent call to “recover hope in the richness of Peruvianness.”

In a statement released on July 24, on behalf of the episcopate, the prelate expressed that hope must be understood not as a passive wait, but as “an active attitude to build a better world,” following the thoughts of Pope Francis.

The Archbishop of Trujillo also stressed the need to be builders of hope in the midst of the prolonged political, economic, social, moral and spiritual crisis that the country is going through. “Our beloved Homeland is in a prolonged crisis that forces us to ask ourselves: What do we want from Peru today?” He questioned.

The prelate also highlighted the importance of fundamental values ​​such as freedom, sovereignty, democracy, justice, equality and national unity, which must continue to light the “flame of hope.”

According to the archbishop, “200 years after our independence, Peruvianness must be seen as social cohesion and a sense of belonging, a melting pot where various traditions and cultures merge.”

In addition, the statement addressed the current weakness of Peruvian institutions, the lack of leadership in different areas and the poor infrastructure in remote areas, which have led to great political and social fragility. “Peruvian democracy has resisted threats, but it needs the active participation of civil society, especially our young people,” noted Bishop Cabrejos.

The CEP leader called for action to unite the Peruvian people, breaking “with indifference” and moving towards “a culture of legality and social fraternity.”

“No one can pretend that the life of another does not concern them,” commented Bishop Cabrejos, quoting Pope Francis about the importance of restorative justice that “repairs damage, damaged relationships and seeks reconciliation.”

In this context, he expressed that “we need a dialogue that is persistent over time, brave in the proposals and binding in the decisions” to recover the morality and spirituality of Peruvianness.

“In these national holidays, let us invoke the Lord of Miracles, icon of the faith and hope of our people, the Blessed Virgin of Mercy, Great Marshal of Peru, to accompany us and support us in the construction of our beloved Peru, with special attention to the weakest and most vulnerable,” concluded Mons. Cabrejos.