Church and organizations in Peru defend human dignity and human rights (vaticannews.va)

Representatives of social organizations, Indigenous peoples and communities, grassroots groups, leaders, and human rights defenders from Ayacucho, Puno, Ica, Arequipa, Madre de Dios, Apurímac, Tacna, Moquegua, and Cusco gathered in Cusco for the Southern Macro-Regional Meeting, “Weaving Voices for Dignity: For Human Rights and the Common Good.” The gathering provided a space to share experiences from different territories, identify common challenges, and develop proposals in response to the main human rights issues facing the country. The first day brought together diverse realities from southern Peru and sought to strengthen cooperation among organizations, communities, and institutions committed to defending human dignity, justice, peace, and the common good. During the opening session, Bishop Lizardo Estrada Herrera, Auxiliary Bishop of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Cusco and Secretary General of CELAM (Latin American and Caribbean Episcopal Council), emphasized that defending human rights is a responsibility that concerns both society and the Church. “Defending human dignity, justice, peace, and the common good are not matters unrelated to faith,” he said, stressing that these principles are part of the Church’s Social Doctrine and its commitment to walking alongside people. The meeting addressed a reality that transcends the borders of individual regions. Inequality, violence, discrimination, conflicts over...