Cardinal Carlos Castillo calls for missionary spirit in Peru

Cardinal Carlos Castillo, the Archbishop of Lima, has called upon Peruvian bishops to reclaim the missionary spirit exemplified by Saint Toribio de Mogrovejo. During the closing mass of the 130th Plenary Assembly of the Peruvian Episcopate, Castillo emphasized the importance of a ministry characterized by proximity and direct engagement with the people, rather than mere bureaucratic formality.

In a separate reflection during a homily at the Lima Cathedral, Cardinal Castillo addressed the concept of heroism within Peruvian identity. He stated that in Peru, the concept of a hero is structurally linked to that of a martyr, defined by the selfless sacrifice of one's life for the common good.

As part of this theological framework, the Cardinal included those who lost their lives during social protests and volunteer firefighters within the country's tradition of martyrdom, recognizing their sacrifices as part of the nation's historical and spiritual identity.