Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Lima (Agenzia Fides) - In a letter sent to the main international Catholic aid agencies, ten bishops from nine ecclesial jurisdictions from the central and southern Andes regions of Peru firmly stated that they do not support “Isaias,” an association of dissident priests and religious that cause confusion among the faithful in the poorest parts of the country.
The Bishops of Cuzco, Arequipa, Tacna, Puno, Abancay, Chuquibamba, Juli, Sicuani and Ayaviri stated that “months ago, in the southern region of the Andes, an association called ‘Isaias’ (Instituto Sur Andino de Investigación y Acción Solidaria - “Southern Andes Institute for Investigation and Supportive Action”) was started, with the goal of ‘contributing to the faith of the Christian communities that are in the Southern Andes region’ and of becoming ‘a place for encounter among people, communities, social groups, and institutions for the reflection and celebration of the faith in Christ.’” The prelates clarified the fact that the association in question “was formed by several priests, religious, and lay faithful from various ecclesiastical jurisdictions of the south and central parts of Peru, however it does not include members of the hierarchy and its creation was not even made known directly to the local Bishops in those areas.”
“As far as we know, the institution called ‘Isaias’ has remained hostile to the local Bishops, seeking moreover to maintain a perspective in theological and pastoral formation that contains dissention towards the Church’s Magisterium, an act that we cannot condone nor support ,” they said. They also regretted the fact “that a group of this character be promoted by priests, religious, and laity of our own parishes, although they may be few in number, causing confusion among the faithful.”
The Bishops also lamented the fact “that these our brothers wish to remain out of line with the spirit of communion with their Pastors, which they are called to adhere to in their very way of life, in this way becoming a source of suffering both for the Bishops as well as for all the faithful.” The prelates finally solicited agencies that they not agree to the “financing the activities of this group that contradicts the thoughts and desires of their legitimate pastors.” (RG) (Agenzia Fides 14/4/2008 righe 29, parole 364)
