Peru – Inauguration of the exhibition "Fr Luis Bolla: the Cathedral of Lima approaches the Amazon"

19 November 2021

(ANS - Lima) – “A window on the Amazon has been opened in the heart of Lima, through the figure and work of Fr Luis Bolla,” wrote the Peruvian journalist José Vadillo. On Tuesday, November 16, in fact, the temporary exhibition ‘Fr Luis Bolla: the Cathedral of Lima approaches the Amazon’ was inaugurated in the Archbishop's building in Lima, exhibiting thirty original pieces from the ‘Fr Luis Bolla Collection’ of the Salesian Historical Archive of Peru.

The Rector Major of the Salesians, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, and the Vice-postulator of Fr Bolla's cause, Fr Jesús Jurado, participated in the opening ceremony remotely from Rome. In Lima, the opening ceremony was presided over by the Archbishop and Primate of Peru, Msgr. Carlos Castillo Mattasoglio; also participating, among other prominent figures, were the Regional Councilor for Interamerica, Fr Hugo Orozco, and by the Provincial of Peru, Fr Manuel Cayo.

The exhibition was curated by Dr. David Franco Córdova, historian of the Salesian Congregation of Peru, with the assistance of Fr Vicente Santilli, the main researcher and popularizer of the life, work and virtues of Fr Bolla. It will last a month and for all this time it will be integrated into the tour of the Museum of the Archbishop's palace, located in the "Plaza Mayor" of Lima.

Dr. Carlos Castillo, General Administrator of the Cathedral, then stated that this exhibition, the first temporary exhibition hosted in the museum, adds value to the other art collections housed in the Archbishopric.

Certainly the presence, albeit digital, of the Rector Major was one of the most significant elements of the inaugural event. He thanked for “this symbolic gesture which brings us even closer to the missionary life of Fr Bolla and to his testimony for the Shuar and Achuar peoples.” And retracing the life path of the great Salesian missionary, he added: “He presented himself with the strength of the weakness of the Gospel; he lived among the Shuar and Achuar as a guest; he knew how to achieve a wonderful balance between evangelization and respect for culture, demonstrating an evangelical patience that led him to seize the opportune moments for the proclamation of the Gospel.”

For his part, the Archbishop of Lima sent a fraternal greeting and recalled that the work of the Church is also to get closer to the newest and most interesting realities, especially those human realities that often remain on the margins and unknown to most.

“Bolla's life was an example of approaching, converting, and understanding the life of our Shuar and Achuar brothers and sisters. He dedicated his life to know their language and, little by little, within this understanding, to proclaim the Gospel to them,” summarized Msgr. Castillo Mattasoglio.

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