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From Rome to Peru: The Unusual Journey of an American Bishop Who Defies Political Lines
LIMA, PERU — May 9, 2025
In an era where church leadership is often scrutinized through political and cultural lenses, one American bishop’s life story offers a compelling contrast to the usual narratives. Though American by nationality, Bishop Thomas Caldwell (name placeholder) has spent more of his adult life abroad than in the United States—and his views, deeply shaped by his international experience, reflect that.
Ordained in the Archdiocese of Chicago in the late 2000s, Caldwell is known as much for his pastoral care as for his outspoken criticism of both conservative and liberal political trends in the U.S. His journey began not in a suburban parish, but in Rome, where he studied theology and immersed himself in the intellectual and spiritual traditions of the global Catholic Church.
After completing his studies, he chose an unconventional path—moving to Peru, where he worked in rural dioceses and poor communities throughout the Andes. Locals remember him not as a foreign missionary, but as a quiet presence who walked beside them, spoke their language fluently, and never tried to impose his identity.
Though he briefly returned to the U.S. to serve in Chicago, his stay was short-lived. In 2014, he moved back to Peru permanently, citing a deeper spiritual calling to live and serve among the marginalized. He has since continued to act as a bridge between cultures, calling out injustice in both North and South America without aligning with political factions.
Caldwell’s life is a reminder that faith, when lived authentically, can transcend borders. While some question his “American” label due to his international life, for those who know his work, the question is less about where he’s from—and more about who he’s with.