In Peru, priest carries Oklahoma connections to Pope Leo

In Piura, Peru, the priest with Oklahoma ties gathered with friends and waited like so many across the globe for the white smoke alerting all for the big news to come.

Then, from the balcony of Saint Peter’s Basilica, came the Latin phrase proclaimed by the “protodeacon” of the College of Cardinals: “Habemus papam” – in English, “We have a pope.”

The name of the new pope, Robert Francis Prevost, sent shockwaves around the world. Among the impoverished of Piura, it prompted cheers and tears of joy as one of their own was ascending to the throne of Peter as Pope Leo XIV.

Yes, Pope Leo is the first American pope, a stunning development in its own right. But he’s Peruvian, too, holding dual citizenship stemming from his time as Bishop of Chiclayo in northern Peru, a 2 1/2-hour drive south of Piura.

“For us this was very special because we know the faith of the people that Pope Leo was taking care of as Bishop of Chiclayo,” said Father Joseph Uhen, who once attended Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School and has served as a pastor in Piura since 1995. “We know the faith that these people hold, and many of them live in challenging circumstances. Many of them are impoverished.

“And yet, they are people that turn to the Lord, believe in the Lord and the Lord responds to them. And for us to see in their joy and their patience, even in their tears, that they are not alone, they are accompanied. To have Pope Leo sitting in the chair of Peter for us is like this great mystery, and we are so grateful to the Lord.”

Father Uhen recently made a pass through the metro area to thank and update parishioners at Christ the King Catholic Church in Oklahoma City and Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church and Saint Monica Catholic Church in Edmond – parishes participating in the Family-to-Family ministry, linking families in Oklahoma to those in Piura with support of food and other items. He said more than 500 families are currently assisted by families in Oklahoma.

Oklahoma Catholics, as well as those in other states, donate $30 a month to help with food, but often also ship Christmas gifts and household items to an area stricken by poverty. In addition, teams from Saint John and Christ the King also visit Peru to build homes and provide a variety of medical services with doctors joining the mission trips.

“It's very effective,” Father Uhen said. “It really is hope and encouragement. Food packages, sometimes a little something extra to help them fix their roof or such. It's really breaking the cycle of poverty for many families.”

Born in Milwaukee, Father Uhen came to Oklahoma with his family in 1968 when his father was transferred for his job. He attended Christ the King for grade school and later Bishop McGuinness, before going on to Notre Dame upon graduation. His call to the priesthood, however, took place in the pews as a youngster.

“I would sit at Christ the King as a young boy and look at those 12 crosses they had around the crucifix kind of representing the apostles,” he said. “The Holy Spirit was working and just kind of calling and letting me know that, you know, this is sacred, this is salvation. This is the Lord.”

The call strengthened when he went to work with Mother Teresa’s Sisters of Charity in the South Bronx.

“Those sisters were just saying, ‘wow, look, you're at the age to enter the seminary ... we're starting a group of Missionary of Charity priests. What about you?’” he recalled. “And these sisters were extraordinary. So I gave it a shot.”

Feeling called to be a missionary pastor, Father Uhen arrived in Piura in August 1993. And he’s been serving the people there since.

“It's been a great ride and I thank the Lord for that,” he said. “You know, we're not always perfect in what we do, but it has been a graceful ride with lots of fruit. And lots of good works of mercy, yes.”

And on May 8, Father Uhen and his people experienced a different kind of fruit – the election of a pope who knew their plight, the former bishop of neighboring Chiclayo.

“We were overwhelmed,” Father Uhen said. “We were just sort of looking at each other saying, ‘Wow, this is almost like my cousin and now he has been elected pope.’ We're still riding this with great joy to see that one of ours is now the pastor of the Catholic Church and really the pastor of the world. And we are praying for him.

“We have great hope of all the good things that can come. Because we know the faith of the people whom he has served.”

John Helsley is editor of the Sooner Catholic.

See related story: Fr. Uhen influenced by Bl. Stanley

Photo: (Above) Fr. Joseph Uhen, who first found a calling the priesthood in the pews of Christ the King Catholic Church, has been serving the community in Piura since 1995. Photos provided.

Chris Engel, long time missionary, recently spent time in Piura working to build houses for residents.