U.S. bishops have voiced concern over death threats against a Peruvian bishop who is a native of Chicago.
Their concerns were sent in a Sept. 11 letter to Most Rev. Miguel Cabrejos Vidarte, O.F.M., Archbishop of Trujillo, president of the Episcopal Conference of Peru.
The letter was sent by Bishop William S. Skylstad of Spokane, Washington, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, to express concern for the safety and well-being of Bishop Daniel S. Turley, O.S.A. of Chulucanas.
“Our Conference has noted recent reports of Bishop Turley being the object of death threats against him. It is deeply troubling that any bishop, especially one as well known and respected as he is, should be subjected to such threats,” Bishop Skylstad said.
Bishop Turley has spent most of his ministry in Peru. Last year he addressed the U.S. bishops’ Committee on International Policy about the impact of the mining sector on vulnerable populations within Peru.
“His witness and presence made a considerable contribution to our understanding of these issues,” Bishop Skylstad said.
“Bishop Turley is very highly regarded for his defence of the rights of all people, especially the poorest and most vulnerable,” Bishop Skylstad said. “He is also well known for seeking peaceful solutions to situations of tension, promoting dialogue and participation as ways to resolve difficulties. As a member of the Social Action Commission (CEAS) of the Peruvian Bishops’ Conference responsible for the theme of Environment within the work of the Commission, Bishop Turley has stood in solidarity with the country’s campesinos, including those whose basic rights and livelihoods may be endangered by the actions of mining companies that do not take fully into account the human and environmental costs of their operations.”