AMERICA/PERU - Triduum of Prayer in all parishes for Cardinal Cipriani on his 10th anniversary of the beginning of his pastoral ministry as 32nd Archbishop of Lima

Lima (Agenzia Fides) – The Archdiocese of Lima has come together to pray on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the beginning of the pastoral ministry of Cardinal Juan Luis Cipriani Thorne in the Archdiocese. As prayer is the most valuable offering that the faithful and priests of the Archdiocese of Lima can offer Cardinal Cipriani, a Triduum of Prayer was organized in honor of his 10th anniversary of the beginning of his pastoral ministry as 32nd Archbishop of Lima and Primate of Peru.
The Triduum will take place during the last week of January in all the parishes of the Archdiocese of Lima, during three days determined by each parish pastor, with the purpose of uniting themselves in prayer for the person and intentions of the Pastor of Lima and in preparation for the Mass that will be celebrated on January 30 in Lima's Cathedral at 7:30pm.
The first day of prayer is dedicated to Our Lady of the Evangelization, Patroness of Lima, to entrust the Archbishop to Our Lady, so that just as she has accompanied the previous Archbishops of Lima, she may also accompany him in his ministry.
The third day of prayer is dedicated to Saint Toribio de Mogrovejo, Second Archbishop of Lima and Patron of the Latin American Bishops, that enlightened by his life and works we can reflect on the pastoral action of Cardinal Juan Luis Cipriani Thorne, as the expression of Christ's will in the Church in Lima.
On January 9, in honor of his 10th anniversary, Cardinal Cipriani received the “El Sol del Perú” Award in the Rank of the Grand Cross, from the Foreign Relations Minister and Chancellor of the Republic, Ambassador Jose Antonio Garcia Belaunde, in the name of the entire Government of Peru for his contribution to unity and peace among Peruvians. The Chancellor of the Republic mentioned that “the Government in Peru decided that 10 years after having been chosen by Pope John Paul II to be Archbishop of Lima, they wished to present him with this award, which holds a two-fold meaning. Firstly, it serves as an acknowledgment of all he has done as Pastor, as a man dedicated to carrying out his vocation and meeting the needs of those most in need. Secondly, it serves to highlight the deep respect that the Government of Peru holds for the Catholic Church in Peru, which it considers an essential part of the culture and the national identity.”
In accepting the award, the Cardinal renewed “the Church's commitment not only to the growth of the Peruvian people in the faith and in Christian life, but also their progress towards harmony and peace. When the message of Christ is accepted, the civil community becomes more responsible and attentive in meeting the demands of the common good and in showing greater support for the poor, abandoned, and marginalized.” (RG) (Agenzia Fides 27/1/2009)