Our Diocese's Outreach In Peru

In 1961, in answer to an appeal by Pope John XXIII, the then Bishop of Leeds the Rt Rev George Patrick Dwyer sent two volunteer priests to go and work with the Columbian Fathers in the rapidly growing barriadas on the north side of Lima, a district called San Martin de Porres. In total 11 priests from Leeds have been on the Lima mission.

The Diocese of Leeds Peru Commission works to raise awareness of and support for the work of our priests and sisters working in Peru, to encourage fundraising, and to promote links between the diocese and the Peruvian people.

At present the diocese has two priests in Peru; Fr Gerry Hanlon, working in Iquitos and Fr Jonathan Hart in the parish of Cristo Luz del Mundo in the diocese of Carabyllo on the northern side of the capital city Lima.  We also support the work of four sisters of Mercy (RSM) working in Lima, one of whom , Sr Mildred McNamara, has been working in Lima for over forty years , having gone out to Peru in 1969.

A Letter to our parish from Fr Jonathan...

It seems like and age since I was in contact. Sorry for the silence but the weeks whizz by.  Just wanted to say that I prayed for your Parish, especially last week. I was on retreat with the local Bishop and the diocesan clergy. We had a wonderful few days on the fringes of Lima – where it means the foothills of the Andes range. The retreat house is known to Mario as it is the house of the’ Marionistas’. It is just as he described it.  I am involved with a number of projects in the parish. We are re-roofing one of the chapels and finishing off a children’s playground in another area, for example.  Thanks for all the support you have managed to give us. I will do my best to give you a proper up date in the weeks to come. As the Church celebrated 50 years since the canonisation of St Martin the Porres we will continue to keep the Parish in our prayers. Please give all my best to the teachers in your schools too.  All the best and every blessing from over here.  Fr Jonathan Hart Lent 2012