A DEDICATED group of people from churches across Worcestershire have returned from a trip to Peru where they celebrated the 25th Anniversary of the diocesan ‘friendship’ link.
Led by the Bishop of Worcester John Inge, the group travelled around the Diocese of Peru last month, visiting churches and projects in Lima, Arequipa and Chiclayo.
The Diocese of Worcester has had a friendship link with the Diocese of Peru since 1992, which includes some financial support but is largely about sharing faith.
Numerous parishes across Worcestershire have individual links with churches in Peru, so the group were able to renew old friendships, as well as provide support and encouragement to the Christians in the country and the projects they support.
The South American nation recently appointed an indigenous Bishop, Jorge Luis Aguilar, who is an ex-Roman Catholic and was ordained priest by Pope John Paul II.
Bishop John said: “I first travelled to Peru 30 years ago and was amazed by the contrasts there, both geographical and human.
“From the magnificent Pacific coastline, you move east to the driest desert in the world, then on to the Andean peaks, before dropping into the Amazon jungle.
“The contrast between Peru’s people are just as stark, from immense wealth in the centre of Lima to abject poverty in the vast shanty towns and beyond.
“A few years ago the Anglican Diocese of Peru was just some well-to-do expatriates worshipping in a Cathedral in Lima. Then an extraordinary expansion began leading to some wonderful work amongst the poorest of the poor.
“We visited a project for disabled children set on a hillside with a shanty town towering above it. It brings hope to children and their parents who would otherwise have none.
“Bishop Jorge and I cut a cake to celebrate the 25 years of our partnership together.
As always, during the visit there was much we were able to learn from our Peruvian hosts and I’m looking forward to continuing to work together over the next 25 years.”
