He was 93 years old when last Friday the Peruvian Episcopal Conference announced his sensitive demise.
Covid-19 pandemic has taken the lives of more than 2 million people in the world. This week it was our turn to say goodbye to Monsignor Luis Bambarén, one more victim of this invisible enemy we are fighting against. Today, in the Chamber of Mines of Peru, we remember his legacy.
Monsignor Bambarén was an active collaborator of our institution who managed to achieve a responsible and sustainable mining development.
We remember him when he participated in the First Pending Agenda of the Mining Sector, an event organized by the Chamber of Mines of Peru in alliance with the Congress of the Republic. In that transcendental meeting, “Communication strategies as a support for sustainable development of the sector” were promoted. Monsignor Bambarén had an outstanding participation with his presentation “Prevention and solution of anti-Mining conflicts and historical memory.”
Monsignor Luis Bambarén always showed his interest in peaceful resolution of mining conflicts. Thus, like the Chamber of Mines of Peru, he continually encouraged dialogue between the stakeholders, as well as promoted measures of social and environmental responsibility by the companies in the sector.
The former Bishop Emeritus from Chimbote was also present at the Second International Seminar on Environmental Protection and Social Responsibility in Mining, organized by our institution. There, he spoke with officials of the Chamber of Mines of Peru, as well as the Minister of the Environment, Antonio Brack Egg, and representatives of the mining sector.
Faithful to the teachings of Jesus Christ, Monsignor Luis Bambarén dedicated his entire life to defending the rights of those most in need.
His legacy included love for his neighbor, his social commitment and his spirit of solidarity. In 1970, when a tragic earthquake destroyed the city of Yungay, his homeland, Monsignor Luis Bambarén became a member of the Commission for Reconstruction and Rehabilitation of the Affected Zone. Since then, when he heard the name of that city that no longer exists, his eyes reflected nostalgic pain and hope.
The following year, he vehemently defended the right to housing of thousands of land occupants in Pamplona. Thanks to his intervention, the settlers were relocated in the deserts located in the south of Lima, thus giving birth to the current district of Villa El Salvador.
His intervention in this conflict led him unfairly to jail. However, due to the strong protests of the citizens, the government of Juan Velasco Alvarado was forced to release him. After this event, Monsignor Luis Bambarén became known as “The Bishop of the Poor.”
There is no doubt that we will miss his great kindness and altruism. Rest in peace, Monsignor.
