President-elect of Peru pledges “devotion to the Church and service to the people”

Lima, Peru, Jun 11, 2006 / 22:00 pm

During a meeting last week with representatives of the Peruvian Bishops’ Conference, the President-elect of Peru, Alan Garcia Perez, said last week, “As a Christian I will always pledge my devotion and service to the Church in Peru and to the Christian causes of my country.”

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, the President-elect acknowledged the historic role the Catholic Church has played in his country and reiterated his own dedication to the faith.  “I am sure that the Catholic Church as well will collaborate in alleviating the situation of those who have the least,” Garcia stated.
 
“This meeting represents a greeting from the Bishops’ Conference for which I am very thankful, it is a gesture of democratic strength,” Garcia said, adding that he would collaborate “with the Church as much as possible. I am sure that the Catholic Church and all the Christian churches will collaborate as well.”

The president of the Bishops’ Conference of Peru, Archbishop Hector Cabrejos of Trujillo, expressed congratulations to Garcia on behalf of the country’s bishops, together with Cardinal Juan Luis Cipriani of Lima and Bishop Juan Jose Larrañeta, secretary general of the Bishop’s Conference.

Archbishop Cabrejos gave President-elect Garcia a copy of the Compendium of the Social Teachings of the Church “so that he bear in mind all of the teaching of the Church in the social sphere.”

“We call all Peruvians to unity, solidarity and hope.  I think all Peruvians need, search for, and want to find pathways to hope,” he said.