In his message for the celebration of the 204th of the Independence of Peru, the Peruvian Episcopal Conference (CEP) assured that “Peru has received from God, in the election of Pope León, a sign of hope.”
“Peru recognizes it as a child of yours, whose heart beats with the love and passion of those who feel part of this earth and, at the same time, recognize it as a father in the path of faith,” he says in a communication The president of the CEP, Mons. Carlos Enrique García Camader, Bishop of Lurín.
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The “closeness and their love for the poorest and their commitment to the care of the common house” of Leo XIV “make their voice a lighthouse of guidance, comfort and prophetic called for all of us, the Peruvians in this 204 anniversary,” he adds.
Leo XIV, born in Chicago (United States) as Robert Prevost in 1955, has been a missionary and bishop in Peru, based there – the different moments of his life appear – for more than 20 years. In 2015 he received Peruvian nationality.
The president of the Peruvian Episcopal Conference said that on this date “we raise our grateful heart to God, for Peru, and the 204 years of its independence and for our democracy that represents a challenge that we have to compromise all, at all levels.”
“We cannot, however, close our eyes to the serious challenges that today shake our nation and the great challenges that we have to face. In this climate of hope we cannot close our eyes to the problems facing our beloved country,” he warned.
“Political instability, growing inequality, persistent poverty and, more dramatically, the rise of the sicariato, organized crime and illegal mining, threaten to tear the very tissue of our society,” he continued.
Within that framework, the prelate said, “we must remember that the immorality that we detect today is due to a lack of morality in the lives of many Peruvians who, taken by indifference or individualistic attitudes, have lost the route of the common good, good policy and respect for the dignity of the person.”
After expressing the pain of the Church for “seeing entire regions – participating in the Amazon and in our high Andean communities – abandoned by the State and devastated by illegal activities,” the president of the CEP said that “we are concerned, with particular intensity, the impact that this has on our young people, increasing who dare to raise their voice in defense of life and territory. ”
“Peru demands brave decisions, consistent public policies and a real will to protect life, dignity and rights of the most vulnerable,” he said.
Mons. García Camader also said that “we do not ignore the hardness of the moment, but neither do we renounce hope. We know who we have put our faith: in the God who does not abandon his people, especially when he cries out with tears for justice. There will be no authentic development without true justice.”
“There will be no lasting peace if the clamor of the poor and the groan of the earth is ignored. The Christian faith is not a comfortable refuge, it is a constant call to transform reality from love, service and truth,” he recalled.
“A worthy people”
The Archbishop of Lima and Primado del Peru, Cardinal Carlos Castillo, presided this on July 28 in the Lima Cathedral the traditional Mass of Te Deum, attended by President Dina Boluarte, as well as various civil authorities.
In his homily, after reviewing historical passages of the beginning of the Republic in Peru, Cardinal Castillo said that “today a people question us and speak to us. He even demands us and shouts for their rights, and questions our distorted behaviors.”
“When he does, not everyone knows how to understand properly,” he said, pointing out that “in most cases they are fair claims, such as the need for amparo before extortion and vile murder.”
“Thank God that our people do not shut up because it is a decent people, aware that the Republic is for all,” he added.
“Anarchy is not the result of the righteous claims of the population, but of the actions of leaderships that have been eliminating their vocation of service, and make decisions without justice, or equity or moral. We do not contribute to the emergence of anarchy, let’s make a self -criticism, even the ecclesial leadership, we recognize that a wide layer of the national leadership expressed.
“It cannot be directed without serving for free and heart,” concluded the purple.
The greeting of Pope Leo XIV to the Peruvians
Leo XIV also had the opportunity to send a greeting to the Peruvians on the occasion of the celebration of the national holidays, upon receiving young people from the South American country this morning in the Vatican.
“Happy national holidays to all Peruvians!”, The Holy Father said, and assured the young Peruvians that “I would like to return to Peru, those lands with the joy and strength of the Gospel, with the good news of Jesus Christ.
David Ramos
Graduate in Communication Sciences by the Private University of the North in Trujillo, Peru. With more than 12 years of experience in Catholic journalism working in ACI Press, I am based in Mexico since 2018. I have covered the trips of Pope Francis to Ecuador, Paraguay, Mexico, Colombia, Chile, Peru and Panama.