Saturday, January 27, 2007

In Ayaviri (Puno), Peru

This is happening in real-time, which makes it all the more interesting.

The introduction of the Sodalits to Ayaviri, through SVC Schmalhausen, who was consecrated by Cipriani has caused a significant amount of conflict with the older pastoral groups in the region (see Liberation Theologists). It is no surprise that conservative groups Lumen Dei and Opus Dei joined Schmalhausen and the Sodalits on the second evangelization (or more softly worded, "new evangelization") of Ayaviri.

Aside, there is a strong propensity to deny the Sodalit's alignment with Opus Dei (you can see this in Caretas Letters to the Editor Re: Congressman Rafael Rey); this is in the face of documentation of such bonds for over two decades, and current documentation that they are still well-aligned with this movement.


There have been lots of interesting allegations, such as that the Sodalits and Opus Dei have been abusive in the reformation process (abusive of their powers?), the Opus Dei appointed bishop retired a parish member who was part of the South Andean Church (Iglesia del Sur Andino) for having a hump (or lump). There are some other interesting removals of pastoral workers that are conveniently part of the Iglesia del Sur Andino and in conflict with the Sodalits, including the transfer of a 68 year old pastoral worker to a very remote area in the Andes (one that, say, may require at least an hour of walking or to have a horse so that he could arrive to that location).


What this appears to be is the continued reform of the church to fully remove liberation theologists and, get rid of Ayamaran and Quechuan pride and the 'backwards culture' (see: non-western) that has been supported by 'those marxists' (see: Liberation Theologists) for the past 39 years.

Some links in Spanish:

La República has published a column on it (against the Sodalit's arrival)

Another agency that is keeping track of this ordeal


Here's a blog from someone in the area

Written at the time of the SVC movement to Ayaviri


Sodalicio News on the events

The Instituto de Pastoral Andina, which has been functioning in the region for many years

El Comercio has published a fairly short, but pro-Sodalit message, as they usually do.
(Other recent pro-sodalit examples here and here)

This Church reformation in the region appears with conservative sects taking the lead and yet again the people of Ayaviri are being put in the middle of this obviously political struggle within the Church (although it is denied by conservative members - SVC and Opus Dei - that following the Church Doctrine isn't political).

The only differences that I can note between the two sides is that the Sodalits have demonstrated disdain for Indigenous culture and have arrived in Ayaviri without showing any real interest to respect the culture of the region.