The honor was dedicated with these words: To the «bishop of the poor, in recognition of his most commendable personal life and his contribution to the struggle for the respect of the human rights of all Peruvians, especially the most forgotten.»
«I receive this award with humility and satisfaction, always keeping in mind Jesus’ message: I am a useless servant, and I have always done only what I had to do,» Bishop Bambarén said during the ceremony held Tuesday in Lima’s Museum of Art.
«In receiving this award,» he added, «I feel that the abnegated work of all priests, men and women religious, and the laity of Peru, who struggle for the dignity and respect of the human rights of the weakest and most defenseless of society, is being recognized.»
Many times, the reaction to their work is «full of slander, defamation and persecution,» the bishop said.
