Peru: Adventist Leader Commends Efforts to Guarantee Equal Treatment of All Religions

Lima, Peru …. [Rajmund Dabrowski/ANN]

Peru’s legislative efforts to guarantee equal treatment of all religions drew support last week from Pastor Jan Paulsen, world president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

During a visit with Dr. Marcial Ayaipoma Alvarado, Congress president, Paulsen said the Adventist Church highly values “freedom of religion, freedom to believe, self expression and a right to change [one’s] views.” He said that the church is “not just a preaching community, but is involved in education, health and social assistance, [as well as] in the [ideals] of religious freedom.”

The Adventist leader’s comments came in support of the current draft legislative proposal guaranteeing equality of treatment for all religions and persons in the country. Peru’s Ministry of Justice is considering the bill.

Adventists have been present in Peru for more than a century, and number more than 700,000 people as baptized members, part of a faith family of more than 1 million weekly worshippers in Peruvian Adventist congregations.

In a statement to the media, Paulsen reiterated the Church’s position on affirming religious freedom as a fundamental human right.

“We recognize and applaud Peru’s pursuit of tolerance, increased openness to diversity, and recognition of religious freedom and equality for all. As Christians, we stand for tolerance and actions to uplift the dignity of every human being. A life ruled by tolerance paves the way to greater prosperity and peace. We reaffirm our commitment to support efforts to guarantee equality of treatment for all religions and persons before the law in Peru,” he stated.

Dr. Alvarado welcomed the Adventist leader and said Adventists are well known and respected for their involvement in education, health and welfare activities.

“The Congress congratulates you and the efforts of your church caring not only for the spiritual welfare of the people, but for the other aspects of life in Peru,” he told Paulsen. “I look forward to your visit [as] beneficial to the country and the church.”

The meeting with Dr. Alvarado opened Pastor Paulsen’s five-day visit to the South American nation, a trip that included dedications of houses of worship in Pisac, in Peru’s Sacred Valley, and a floating Uros Islands’ church on Lake Titicaca. Paulsen’s Peru journey also included a visit to the ancient Inca cities and monuments, Cuzco and Machu Picchu, and a spiritual convocation with the Altiplano church members at a stadium in Puno.

During a visit at the Congress, Paulsen, who was accompanied by Melchor Ferreyra, president of the Adventist Church in Peru, also met with Dr.

Antero Flores Araor, former president of the Congress, and Rosa Graciela Yanarico Huanca, who comes from Puno and represents the Altiplano Region in the Congress. A Seventh-day Adventist, Yanarico Huanca is one of the principal legislators supporting the draft bill on religious freedom and equality.

It is in the Altiplano region where the Adventist Church made its lasting presence in establishing schools and standing for the rights of the indigenous population of the region.

Such names as Manuel Camacho, and Fernando and Ana Stahl, who pioneered education for indigenous peoples of the Puno region, are highly respected for contributing to Peru’s modern educational system.

Recognizing this contribution, Paulsen said “Today, their legacy lives on in your pursuit of equality and freedom for all people, in your modern educational system, which also includes more than 200 Adventist schools throughout your country.”

In his statement Paulsen emphasized that, “Often members of a Christian church are viewed only in terms of their spiritual contribution to the society. As Christians, however, we are not only creatures of a spiritual environment. We also have an active interest in all the issues that shape the way we live, and all the elements that deal with diversity and quality of life.”

As a church, we “respond to the needs of the communities around us, through our institutions and programs, delivering quality education and health care, as well as responding to the humanitarian needs of society. We offer these services to all, regardless of creed or background.

“I pray that the Adventist Church will continue to do all it can to be a productive and useful partner in this society, working for the good of the people,” he said.