Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Arequipa (Agenzia Fides) – With a Mass presided by Archbishop Javier del Rio Alba, Archbishop of Arequipa, the Claretians of Arequipa celebrated the 100th anniversary of their presence in Peru. The celebrations had begun in Lima, December 7, the eve of the Immaculate Conception. The Archbishop of Arequipa thanked the congregation for their missionary work. The Claretians run the school of St. Dorothy, one of the most important schools of the city, and are responsible for the Archdiocesan Catechetical School and one of the parishes in the archdiocese.
The foundation was approved by the General Government of Peru on June 26, 1909, after persistent requests from the Bishops to have the Congregation of the Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, assume the disciplinary, spiritual, and scientific leadership of the Conciliar Seminary. The first community Claretians was given a warm welcome and the Bishops placed their confidence in the Congregation from the start. Currently in Peru, the Claretians are represented by: 1 bishop, 35 priests (of which 19 are Peruvian), 1 brother, 3 students (including 2 Peruvian) and 1 Novice (Peruvian).
In Latin America, they are present in: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela. In Colombia, this past February, they celebrated the centenary of their presence. The first missionaries from Spain arrived in Choco, Colombia, on February 14, 1909. (CE) (Agenzia Fides 12/12/2009)
