Bishop William Dermott Molloy, emeritus of Huancavelica, died in Lima on Aug. 19 at the age of 83.
Bishop Molloy took care of abandoned children and elderly for almost 30 years. Heestablished soup kitchens, a school, and a college. Although he was Irish, he learned Quechua and translated the Bible and religious books into Runa Simi, the Quechua language.
Thousands were present in the central square of Huancavelica on Aug. 21 to pay their respects and accompany the bishop, who looked after them for almost 30 years. At the end of the Mass, the coffin was taken to the crypt of the Cathedral Church of the region, considered the poorest of Peru.
He was born in Dublin, Ireland, on May 10, 1930. He was ordained priest on June 5, 1955, and consecrated bishop on July 4, 1976. He was sent to the Diocese of Huancavelica on January 14, 1982.
His concern for the formation of young people led him to create the Saint John Mary Vianney College Seminary and the Saint Rose Pedagogical Institute. He promoted the Saint Cecilia School of Music where children and youths cultivated their love of God through music and singing. Several of the youths today are priests.
Moreover, through Caritas, he carried out works of a social and spiritual dimension in the farming world. Among his priorities were the formation of rural catechists and the promotion of the priestly vocation and religious life.
In recognition of his great pastoral work in service of the Church in Peru, he was awarded the Medal of Saint Turibius of Mogrovejo in January of 2006, during the 87th Plenary Assembly of the Bishops of Peru.
In July of this year, the Congress of the Republic awarded him the Medal of Honor as a Knight in recognition of his tireless pastoral and educational work and social care for close to 30 years in the poorest region of Peru.
