Religion
The Spanish came to Peru in as early as the 1530's. A long with their conquest came their religion, which was the Catholic religion. The Spanish first wanted to conquer the Inca civilization, they were in search of wealth. The Spanish captures Cuzco, the center of the Inca Empire in 1533. By 1542 the Spanish confirmed Cuzco to be under their control (Peru facts.) Catholicism, which came to this country along with the conquistadors met with the Inca polytheistic religion and resulted in a mixture of the two. The Spanish clergy destroyed most of the cultural heritage of the Inca Andean religion by their actions, called by themselves the "extirpation of idolatry" (Peru religion and social change.)
Parents who do not wish their children to participate in the mandatory religion classes must request an exemption in writing from the school principal. Non-Catholics who wish their children to receive a religious education in their own faith are free to organize such classes, at their own expense, during the weekly hour allotted by the school for religious education. However, they must supply their own teacher (Peru Religion and Social Change.) The church is deeply involved in advocating for the Peruvian economy and social development of its people. The diocese has several programs where the Gospel is put into practice by caring for materials needs as well as preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For example, the Sisters of Mercy in Chulucanas have organized an Animal Project. This project is helping families in two villages to recover from the devastation of El Niño, when they lost all their animals to flooding. Catholic Relief Services has been in Peru for close to 60 years and is currently working with poor indeginous communities, helping them improve their knowledge of local resources ( CRS.)
There are a variations of sacred places located in Peru. One of them is the Cusco Cathedral which i is a Baroque-style cathedral built on the foundations of the palace of the Inca Wirachocha in Cusco. It is considered one of the most splendid Spanish colonial churches in the Americas. Another sacred location is the famous Machu Picchu, a ruined ancient Incan town high on a mountain ridge in Peru. One of the most atmospheric and mystical sites in the world, it is located among spectacular mountain scenery about 6,750 feet above the Urubamba Valley. Machu Picchu has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it is the end point of the most popular hike in South America, the Inca Trail. The third very popular sacred place in Peru is the Lima Cathedral which is an immense baroque cathedral originally built in 1564. In addition to its fine baroque art, it is best known for being designed by Francisco Pizarro, who conquered the Incas and founded Lima, and for containing his tomb (Sacred Destinations.)
Peru's constitution promotes the separation of church and state. However, it does recognize the Catholic Church's role as a very important element in the historical, cultural and moral development of the nation. The declaration strictly prohibits discrimination based on religion. On the other hand, it has been proven that the Church is given advantageous treatment in tax benefits, education and other areas. It is free to establish any type of worship, train clergy and proselytize to all faiths in Peru. It is not required to register with the government to get a hold of any type of license. Non-Catholic missionaries have claimed that the government has set out unjust laws which are discriminant towards them. The government taxes religious materials, such as bibles, that are brought to Peru, while the Catholic Church has not yet been taxed on any of their religious material (Peru facts.) Parents who do not wish their children to participate in the mandatory religion classes must request an exemption in writing from the school principal. Non-Catholics who wish their children to receive a religious education in their own faith are free to organize such classes, at their own expense, during the weekly hour allotted by the school for religious education. However, they must supply their own teacher (Peru Religion and Social Change.)
Sources:
Peru Facts. (n.d.). Sponsor a Child - Compassion International. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.compassion.com/about/where/peru.htm
Peru Religion and Social Change | Religion in Peru . (n.d.). Inside Peru. Retrieved March 20, 2013, from http://www.inside-peru.com/peru-religion.htm
Sacred destinations . (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.sacred-destinations.com/peru/sacred-sites.htm
Crs. (2012). Retrieved from http://crs.org/countries/peru
Parents who do not wish their children to participate in the mandatory religion classes must request an exemption in writing from the school principal. Non-Catholics who wish their children to receive a religious education in their own faith are free to organize such classes, at their own expense, during the weekly hour allotted by the school for religious education. However, they must supply their own teacher (Peru Religion and Social Change.) The church is deeply involved in advocating for the Peruvian economy and social development of its people. The diocese has several programs where the Gospel is put into practice by caring for materials needs as well as preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For example, the Sisters of Mercy in Chulucanas have organized an Animal Project. This project is helping families in two villages to recover from the devastation of El Niño, when they lost all their animals to flooding. Catholic Relief Services has been in Peru for close to 60 years and is currently working with poor indeginous communities, helping them improve their knowledge of local resources ( CRS.)
There are a variations of sacred places located in Peru. One of them is the Cusco Cathedral which i is a Baroque-style cathedral built on the foundations of the palace of the Inca Wirachocha in Cusco. It is considered one of the most splendid Spanish colonial churches in the Americas. Another sacred location is the famous Machu Picchu, a ruined ancient Incan town high on a mountain ridge in Peru. One of the most atmospheric and mystical sites in the world, it is located among spectacular mountain scenery about 6,750 feet above the Urubamba Valley. Machu Picchu has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it is the end point of the most popular hike in South America, the Inca Trail. The third very popular sacred place in Peru is the Lima Cathedral which is an immense baroque cathedral originally built in 1564. In addition to its fine baroque art, it is best known for being designed by Francisco Pizarro, who conquered the Incas and founded Lima, and for containing his tomb (Sacred Destinations.)
Peru's constitution promotes the separation of church and state. However, it does recognize the Catholic Church's role as a very important element in the historical, cultural and moral development of the nation. The declaration strictly prohibits discrimination based on religion. On the other hand, it has been proven that the Church is given advantageous treatment in tax benefits, education and other areas. It is free to establish any type of worship, train clergy and proselytize to all faiths in Peru. It is not required to register with the government to get a hold of any type of license. Non-Catholic missionaries have claimed that the government has set out unjust laws which are discriminant towards them. The government taxes religious materials, such as bibles, that are brought to Peru, while the Catholic Church has not yet been taxed on any of their religious material (Peru facts.) Parents who do not wish their children to participate in the mandatory religion classes must request an exemption in writing from the school principal. Non-Catholics who wish their children to receive a religious education in their own faith are free to organize such classes, at their own expense, during the weekly hour allotted by the school for religious education. However, they must supply their own teacher (Peru Religion and Social Change.)
Sources:
Peru Facts. (n.d.). Sponsor a Child - Compassion International. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.compassion.com/about/where/peru.htm
Peru Religion and Social Change | Religion in Peru . (n.d.). Inside Peru. Retrieved March 20, 2013, from http://www.inside-peru.com/peru-religion.htm
Sacred destinations . (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.sacred-destinations.com/peru/sacred-sites.htm
Crs. (2012). Retrieved from http://crs.org/countries/peru