Franciscan Presence in the Peruvian Amazon: Mission in Contamana (Loreto)
From the 20th-23rd February 2026, a delegation from the Order of Friars Minor made a fraternal visit to the Franciscan friary in Contamana, in the Amazonian region of Loreto, Peru, after a six-hour journey along the Ucayali River, one of the main waterways of the Peruvian Amazon.
The delegation included Fr. César Külkamp, Definitor General; Fr. Francisco Gómez, Secretary General for Missions, and Evangelisation; and Fr. Daniel N. Rodríguez Blanco, Director of the General Office for Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation (JPIC), accompanied by Fr. José Surita, Provincial Treasurer of the Province of the Twelve Apostles. They were welcomed by the friars of the fraternity: Fr. Miguel Vilca, Fr. Maico Hervas, and Fr. Francisco Miranda.
A new fraternity at the service of the Franciscan mission in Peru
The fraternity, established a year ago and belonging to the Province of the Twelve Apostles of Peru, responds to the Order’s desire to strengthen its presence in the Peruvian Amazon. Fr. Massimo Fusarelli, Minister General, expressed the dream and desire to promote Franciscan work in the Amazon, since “our Order wants to give special importance to the challenges of living out our charism in this context.”
This mission revives the historic Franciscan presence in the parish of St. Francis of Assisi, in the Apostolic Vicariate of Requena, where Spanish missionaries served for years, leaving a profound mark on the ecclesial and social life of the Amazon region.
For Fr. Ernesto Chambi, Provincial Minister, the decision made a year ago seeks to return to the Province’s origins, which have always had brothers in all regions of Peru. Now, the new fraternity in Contamana has become a significant place, serving as a point of reference for brothers in formation and for all levels of the organisation, including schools, parishes, and shrines.
Missionary Journey Through Riverside Communities of the Ucayali River
During the visit, the brothers toured riverside communities such as Canaan Cashiaco and the hamlet of Lourdes, celebrated Mass with the parish community, and held a fraternal meeting to discern the challenges and opportunities of the mission in the Amazon.
Gospel and Care for Creation in the Heart of the Amazon
The fraternity aims to live and proclaim the Gospel in the heart of the Peruvian Amazon, embodying the Franciscan charism through closeness to the communities, the promotion of education, care for children, the strengthening of parish life, and a commitment to the care of creation.
Commitment to Environmental Threats in the Amazon Region
Pastoral work also addresses the ecological challenges of the territory, especially threats such as illegal mining and other forms of exploitation that severely affect Amazonian communities and ecosystems.
The Franciscan presence in Contamana represents a concrete sign of the Order’s missionary dream, in harmony with the apostolic exhortation Querida Amazonía, which invites us to embrace the social, cultural, ecological, and ecclesial challenges of this region, which is strategic for the Church and for the world.
