Three Sodalits participate as speakers at the III Congress of Peruvianity in Arequipa

From August 21st to 23rd, the San Juan Pablo II Auditorium of the San Pablo Catholic University (UCSP) was the setting for the Third Congress of Peruvian Identity. This event brought together prominent academics, historians and specialists to reflect on the independence and promise of Peruvian life.

The congress addressed crucial issues such as the origins of the republican project, the milestones in the reflection on the Peruvian national project and the current challenges facing our country. This event was attended by renowned professors such as Dr. José de la Puente Brunke, current Vice President of the National Academy of History; Dr. Cecilia Bákula Budge; Dr. Martina Vinatea, among others.

For this year’s edition, three members of the Sodalitium Christianae Vitae were invited as speakers: Carlos Neuenschwander, Renzo Moreno and Javier Leturia.

In his lecture, Carlos highlighted three points. First, he underlined the need to rethink the relationship between Catholicism and modernity, challenging the paradigm that associates modernity exclusively with liberal values. Second, from this perspective, one can see how the Catholic Church did not passively experience the social and political changes resulting from the French Revolution, but rather faced them and took advantage of them from its own vision of the world and of man, integrating technical and scientific advances. Finally, he highlighted how, after independence, Latin America played an active role in ecclesial renewal and the dialogue between the Church and modernity, influencing the global Church.

For his part, Renzo focused on the need to recognize ourselves as a nation with a common history. To do so, he addressed the problem of racism, which, according to certain authors, would have its origin in the colonial period; in light of which, he pointed out the efforts of the viceroyalty to achieve greater integration based on a Christian worldview. This contribution seeks to foster a more reconciled understanding of Peruvian identity and promote social cohesion in the country.

Javier Leturia offered an insight into Peruvian crafts and their role in national identity. He highlighted the importance of the 72,250 registered artisans, underlining how their works convey tradition and history. He also emphasized the potential of crafts as a vehicle for national unity and called for greater recognition and pride in this cultural heritage.

The Third Congress of Peruvian Identity concluded with the words of Dr. Alonso Quintanilla, rector of the San Pablo Catholic University, who recalled the importance of looking to the past in order to build a better future for Peru. “The diversity that characterizes our country should not be a cause of division, but rather an impulse for unity and integral development.” Finally, the rector thanked the authorities, panelists and the entire team of the organizing committee.