Latino community celebrates unity
Injured priest remains in their prayers

By Sam Lucero, Catholic Herald Staff

MILWAUKEE — A Mass that was touted as a celebration of unity through diversity turned out to be that and more Jan. 16.

In the wake of Fr. Eleazar Perez’s injuries sustained in a Jan. 9 hit-and-run accident, the Mass and community dinner that he helped organize served as an opportunity to offer prayers and thanksgiving for the 45-year-old Mexican priest.

Since arriving in Milwaukee from the Diocese of Cuauhtémoc-Madera in Chihuahua, Mexico, five years ago, Fr. Perez has been a catalyst for unity in the Latino community. His impact on the community was expressed in the outpouring of prayers by the community in the days following the accident, which led to the amputation of Fr. Perez’s left leg.

A crowd of worshippers estimated at more than 1,500 packed the pews and filled the side aisles of St. Adalbert Church for the noon liturgy. Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan, the principal celebrant, was joined by the bishop of Cuauhtémoc-Madera, Bishop Juan Guillermo Lopez Soto. Both bishops were invited to the celebration by Fr. Perez.

In his homily, Archbishop Dolan praised Fr. Perez and reassured the congregation that their priest is in good spirits and was thinking of them.

“This morning I spoke with him and he gives you his love and gratitude,” Archbishop Dolan said in Spanish.

Archbishop Dolan continued his homily in English, with Fr. Bob Stiefvater, archdiocesan episcopal vicar for Hispanic ministry, serving as translator.

“We are so united today in prayer and in faith and in love,” said Archbishop Dolan. “We know Jesus Christ brings us together, but also Fr. Eleazar brings us together. We love him very much. We need him very much. We pray for him very hard and we welcome him back in a hurry.”

Fr. Perez’s impact on the southside Latino community was evident in the number of city leaders present at the Mass, said Archbishop Dolan, alluding to Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett and Deputy Police Chief Ramon Galaviz.

“He brings all of you together in love and unity,” he said.

Having visited with Fr. Perez earlier that morning, Archbishop Dolan said the priest is still weak. “But he is strong in faith,” he added. “He is strong in his love for us, and he is a very strong and good priest in his suffering.”

The archbishop elicited cheers from the congregation as he concluded his homily in praise: “Viva Jesus, viva la Virgin de Guadalupe, viva la papa, y viva Padre Eleazar.”

Following the Mass, Archbishop Dolan, Bishop Lopez Soto and Fr. Stiefvater gathered with reporters to discuss the liturgy and Fr. Perez’s health.

The archbishop said the liturgy turned out to fulfill Fr. Perez’s desire as a moment of unity and togetherness.

“As uplifting and as joyful and as inspirational as this ceremony was, it’s kind of a note of sadness for me,” continued Archbishop Dolan, “because it was in preparation for this ceremony — Fr. Eleazar was literally unloading the supplies for today’s celebration — when he was hit by a car. He had been looking forward to this for six months.”

The priest had invited Archbishop Dolan six months ago to celebrate the Mass. “He was pretty blunt about it. He wanted to show off the parish,” he said.

When he visited Fr. Perez one day after the accident, Archbishop Dolan said he was impressed by the priest’s attitude. “He said to me, ‘Archbishop, I’m at peace and I would gladly give my life and my leg for God and for his people.’ He’s a man of faith. No wonder his people love him. No wonder this church could be filled with thousands of people who love him and miss him very much.”

Bishop Lopez Soto said he appreciated the attention Fr. Perez has received from Archbishop Dolan and the archdiocese. “We’re hoping that this serves to unite the community in prayer and in action and in Christ.”

The bishop commended Fr. Perez for his ability to bring the Latino community of Milwaukee together. “This is the spirit that we need in all of our priests,” said Bishop Soto Lopez. “All our priests should be doing that. They have this attitude of not just my leg but my life for the people.”

Fr. Perez is scheduled to remain in Milwaukee for three more years, stated Fr. Stiefvater. While he is recuperating, other area priests have come forward to offer their assistance. “The number of priests who have called saying ‘Anything we can do to help during this time’ has been just great.”

Archbishop Dolan added that Fr. Perez still faces at least one more surgery and said that the date of his return to the parish is not known. “He’ll have some long physical therapy. His physicians are optimistic about his recovery and his ability to get back home,” he said.

“He’s going to get better. He’s going to be stronger than ever. So maybe we can have him for 10 more years.”

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