Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Ayacucho (Agenzia Fides) – This Monday, July 20, in Ayacucho's Plaza de Armas, Cardinal Juan Luis Cipriani presided as Pontifical Legate of Pope Benedict XVI, the Thanksgiving Mass in honor of the 400th anniversary of the creation of the Archdiocese of Ayacucho, in front of a large crowd of faithful and in the presence of the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Bruno Musaro, along with 20 Peruvian Bishops.
In his homily, filled with memories of his over 10 years' service as Archbishop of Ayacucho, Cardinal Cipriani mentioned the many contributions of Ayacucho's people to the national identity and especially mentioned in the Mass the souls of those who died in the terrorist attacks. He also paid homage to all the religious institutions who have contributed to the religious identity of Ayacucho, as well as the work carried out for the poorest of the poor, by Mother Covadonga and the cloistered nuns of the traditional Ayacuchan convents of Saint Teresa and Saint Clare.
The Papal Envoy also highlighted the virtue of joy of the Church in Ayacucho, in spite of the obstacles it has faced in these 400 years of history. He also thanked all the religious congregations that, during these 400 years of faith in Ayacucho, have evangelized and contributed to the doctrinal formation of the peoples of the area, which is known as “the Rome of the Andes.” He also asked that the missionary spirit continue to be an inspiration in visits to the smaller towns and the task of teaching the catechism.
The Archbishop of Lima later recalled the pastoral work of the Bishops, who first led the Diocese of Huamanga (as it was called at the beginning), created by the Holy Father Paul V on July 20, 1609. Among them was Bishop Francisco Verdugo, second Bishop of Huamanga, “who wrote the first constitutions of the Diocese, in 1622” and Bishop Cristobal de Castilla y Zamora, founder of the University of San Cristobal of Huamanga, “who convoked the first Diocesan Synod in 1672.”
Lastly, Cardinal Cipriani recalled the important proposal that is made to us by the Holy Father Benedict XVI with the proclamation of the Year for Priests. He invited the faithful, especially the priests, to take advantage of this special occasion to aspire to holiness with renewed vigor so as to witness a flowering of vocations of young men who dedicate their lives to God in the priesthood. “May the sacramental life enlighten all the pastoral efforts, insisting especially on participation in Sunday Mass, that the Sacrament of Confession be promoted and practice in a valiant manner, overcoming all difficulties,” he said.
The Mass was attended by hundreds of townspeople from the rural areas of Ayacucho who arrived for the commemoration after over 12 hours' travel on foot, as well as inhabitants of the Apurimac and Ene Valleys, which have been afflicted by drug-related violence. At the end of the Mass, Cardinal Cipriani bestowed the Apostolic Blessing on behalf of the Holy Father Benedict XVI to all the faithful of Ayacucho. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 21/7/2009)
