EN
The conversion of Peru followed the old principle 'cuius regio euis religio'. The Spaniards imposed Catholicism on the local population very often by force and with little respect of the human dignity of the convertites. The hierarchy and the overall structure of the church reflected the colonial approach. In the earliest phases of its history the Catholic Church in Peru looked to the rich rather than the poor and paid scarcely any attention to the education of the indigenous population. At the same time the Catholic clergy tolerated the adoption of some elements of the Inca religion into Christian worship. This gave rise to a syncretic religious forms which combined elements typical of Spanish Catholicism and the ancient beliefs and customs of the Incas. The Franciscans played a major role in the conversion of Peru. They were the first to break the cruel colonial stereotypes of the greedy and unscrupulous conquistadores by preaching the gospel of love. They not only showed the Peruvians a different vision of man and of European culture but also saved the lives of thousands of Indians, reduced to abject slavery by their colonial masters. Thanks to their dedication and methods of work, the Franciscans were able to help many Indians grasp the essentials of the Christian faith and adopt a way of life that could save them from degradation and despair.