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Peru
Reconciliation sought
Another disputed election
Peru’s Catholic bishops called the country’s opposition and ruling parties together for a Mass of reconciliation and peace in Lima’s cathedral in mid-October, as the country struggled with turmoil sparked by scandal and a surprise presidential election.
Bishop Luis Bambaren Gastelumendi of Chimbote, president of the bishops’ conference, celebrated the Mass, telling the congregation, “All of you are called to answer expectations of millions of Peruvians. Our people feel the ground is shaking, that we’re moving without direction.”
The Mass followed the suspension of talks brokered by the Organization of American States (OAS) between the government and opposition to prepare for fair elections after President Alberto Fujimori announced he would leave office next year, only one year after winning re-election to another five-year term. Fujimori was stung by corruption allegations against his intelligence head and claims that the elections in May were not fair. The move plunged the country into a political crisis.
The OAS suspended talks after Fujimori’s ruling bloc in Congress passed a widely criticized law extending the legislative term for two weeks. The opposition said the government was planning to use the two weeks to pass surprise bills that would slow down reforms and appease sectors in the military, which is under scrutiny for human-rights abuses.
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