A Peruvian prelate who served as Archbishop of Lima and was elevated to cardinal in 2001, known for his conservative stance on social issues and his efforts to promote Catholic education.
Juan Luis Cipriani Thorne is a Peruvian prelate of the Catholic Church, renowned for his unwavering stance against the Shining Path, a violent revolutionary movement that terrorized Peru in the 1980s and 1990s. As the Archbishop of Lima from 1999 to 2019, Cipriani Thorne's firm stance on human rights and his advocacy for military suppression earned him both admiration and criticism.
Juan Luis Cipriani Thorne was born on December 28, 1943, in Lima, Peru. He attended the Colegio Santa Maria Marianistas, a Catholic school, and later studied industrial engineering at the Universidad Nacional de Ingeniera in Lima. Before entering the priesthood, Cipriani Thorne worked as an engineer and was even a member of the Peruvian national basketball team for six years.
In 1977, Cipriani Thorne was ordained as a priest for Opus Dei, and later earned a doctorate in theology from the University of Navarra. He went on to hold various positions within the Catholic Church, including regional vicar for Peru and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Piura. In 1988, Pope John Paul II appointed him titular Bishop of Turuzi and Auxiliary Bishop of Ayacucho.
During his time in Ayacucho, Cipriani Thorne became an outspoken critic of the Shining Path, denouncing their human rights abuses and advocating for military action against the group. In 1991, he stated that "most human rights organizations are just covering the tails of political movements, almost all of them Marxist and Maoist." His stance sparked controversy, with some accusing him of being insensitive to the suffering of the Peruvian people.
In 1999, Cipriani Thorne was appointed Archbishop of Lima, a position he held for 20 years. During his tenure, he continued to speak out against the Shining Path and advocate for human rights. He also played a key role in shaping the Catholic Church's stance on various social and political issues in Peru.
Juan Luis Cipriani Thorne's unwavering commitment to the Catholic Church and his unshakeable stance against the Shining Path have made him a polarizing figure in Peru. While some see him as a champion of human rights, others view him as a controversial figure who has contributed to the polarization of Peruvian society. Nevertheless, his impact on the Catholic Church and Peruvian politics cannot be denied.
Cipriani Thorne's outspoken nature has led to several memorable quotes, including:
Juan Luis Cipriani Thorne's life and legacy serve as a testament to the complexities of the Catholic Church and the challenges of navigating the intricate web of Peruvian politics. While his views may have sparked controversy, there is no denying the significant impact he has had on the lives of countless Peruvians and the direction of the Catholic Church in the region.
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