The presbytery of Corpus Christi Parish in Massiapo is in a terrible state. The corrugated tin roof is rusting away and the house itself is simply a boarded timber frame house that looks more like a rickety shed or barn. It‘s hard to believe that anyone could actually live here.
„The poor state of the building is especially problematic in the rainy season, and we really need to build a new parish house as quickly as possible, so that we can provide the people of this parish, which is mission territory, with the best possible care“, writes Father Jorge Munos Darwit, the parish priest, in his request for help.
The parish of Massiapo sits at an altitude of over 10,000 feet (3000 m) in the Andes in the misty rainforest of Puno. Life is already extremely difficult here, and the pandemic has made it still worse for the people here – and consequently also for the work of the Church. Many planned events and activities had to be postponed or even cancelled as a result, and Peru generally has been hard-hit by coronavirus. The result has meant not only widespread sickness and death, but also an increase in poverty.
So now the people need help and support more than ever. The new parish would provide accommodation for the parish priest himself, for three catechists and two other people working especially in the youth apostolate. It should also be able to accommodate occasional guests, for example when the bishop comes to administer the Sacrament of Confirmation or simply to visit the parish and get an idea of the work being done and listen to the cares and concerns of those working there.
Father Darwit clearly needs our help and we cannot let him down. We have promised support of 26,700 Euros towards the cost of the new presbytery. Can you help us?
