President of Peru Joins Faith Leaders in Prayer

Dina Boluarte, president of Peru, took part in an interfaith prayer ceremony on Tuesday, July 25, 2023. “We Pray for Peru 2023” was organized by the Interreligious Council of Peru–Religions for Peace and hosted in a meetinghouse of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in San Isidro, Lima, Peru. The event was also broadcast.

Upon her arrival, President Boluarte was welcomed by Monsignor Salvador Piñeiro, head of the Interreligious Council of Peru; Elder Oswaldo Soto, an Area Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; and Laura Vargas, executive secretary of the Interreligious Council of Peru. The president was also accompanied by various state ministers and civil leaders.

The Interreligious Council of Peru–Religions for Peace brings together leaders from many religions in Peru, including the Catholic Church, Evangelical Presbyterian and Reformed Church of Peru, Jewish Association of Peru, Islamic Association of Peru, Sōtō Zen Buddhist community, Bahá'í community of Peru, the Church of Jesus Christ and other faiths.

During the ceremony, participants prayed for children, women, the elderly, indigenous peoples, migrants and those who are sick. They also prayed for democracy, unity, peace, the fight against corruption and guidance to face crisis.

Elder Soto prayed for successful marriages and families.

“We pray for the families of Peru, we ask that Thou protect them with Thy mantle, that Thou help them find the happiness and peace they long for, that we be one with Thee, and remember to always seek Thee,” Elder Soto prayed.

A choir of singers from many faiths, under the direction of renowned Peruvian choral director José Federico Quezada Macchiavello, also performed at the event.

“It has been a blessing to be part of ‘We Pray for Peru’,” to listen to the prayers given by the religious authorities of the country for the family, faith, unity and peace of Peru,” said Dolly Zavala, a member of the Church who performed with the choir. “To be part of this interfaith choir, having the opportunity to express our gratitude, through music, to our beloved God, filled my soul with gratitude and joy,” she said.

Prior to the prayers, a document titled “Convergence for Peace" was signed by representatives of various charities and nonprofits, including the Church. The document’s purpose is to help sustain peace in Peru through humanitarian aid, such as food, housing and shelter for vulnerable families.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, Josué Gutiérrez Cóndor, ombudsman of Peru, shared his hopes of this gathering.

“Because tolerance is necessary in these tumultuous times, perhaps we won’t all think or believe the same,” Cóndor said. “However, we are motivated by the purpose that all have a hope of a better tomorrow, which is the same hope we all feel tonight. This message is powerful and real, and in addition, establishes a before and after: the before is how one arrives, sometimes weighted with difficult emotions for us to accept, but also with the hope to be able to change, and that all of us can make a better Peru.”

This story was originally published on Spanish Newsroom.