Matthew Casey-Pariseault – The Conversation

Faithful hold a photo of Robert Prevost, who was elected Pope Leo XIV, in front of the Cathedral of Chiclayo, Peru, where he served as bishop for several years. AP Photo/Manuel Medina

May 13, 2025

‘The pope is Peruvian!’ How 2 decades in South America shaped the vision of Pope Leo XIV

Matthew Casey-Pariseault, Arizona State University

Peruvians have celebrated the election of a man many knew as a missionary and bishop during his 2 decades of service in the South American country.

Members of children’s rights organizations protest against cases of clerical child abuse in Cochabamba, Bolivia, on May 25, 2023. Fernando Cartagena/AFP via Getty Images

June 14, 2023

Events in Bolivia and Brazil may signal a turning point for the Catholic Church’s sexual abuse crisis in Latin America

Matthew Casey-Pariseault, Arizona State University

Public outrage over alleged abuse has been muted in much of Latin America for years, partly because the church remains one of the region’s most powerful institutions – but that may be changing.

The ‘Christ of the Pacific’ statue in Lima has caused controversy in Peru because of its financing by a graft-tainted Brazilian construction company. Both religion and corruption loomed large in Peru’s 2020 legislative elections. CRIS BOURONCLE/AFP via Getty Images

February 18, 2020

Fringe religious party gains power in crisis‑stricken Peru

Matthew Casey-Pariseault, Arizona State University

After a bribery scandal that took down four presidents and led Congress to dissolve, some Peruvians are putting their faith in an austere religion called the Israelites of the New Universal Pact.

Supporters of former Bolivian president Evo Morales rally with indigenous flags outside the city of Cochabamba, Bolivia, Nov. 18, 2019. AP Photo/Juan Karita

November 19, 2019

Old religious tensions resurge in Bolivia after ouster of longtime indigenous president

Matthew Casey-Pariseault, Arizona State University

Indigenous people, symbols and religious practices filled the halls of power in Bolivia during Evo Morales’ 14-year tenure. Now a new conservative Christian leader seems to be erasing that legacy.

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