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American by Birth, Global by Calling: The Bishop Who Chose Peru Over Politics
LIMA, PERU — May 9, 2025
While national identity often defines a public figure’s narrative, Bishop Thomas Caldwell has quietly resisted that mold. Though born and ordained in the United States, Caldwell has spent much of his adult life outside its borders, leading a pastoral life that defies easy labels and political expectations.
Caldwell, who studied theology in Rome during his early years, found his spiritual calling not within the structures of American power but among the people of Peru. After completing his education in the Vatican’s academic circles, he moved to South America to serve in some of the region’s most overlooked communities.
“I never felt like I left home—I felt like I found it,” Caldwell once remarked in a 2016 interview during a visit to Cusco.
He briefly returned to the U.S. in the late 2000s and was appointed bishop in Chicago—a significant role that placed him in one of America’s largest archdioceses. However, Caldwell’s time in the United States was short-lived. By 2014, he had returned to Peru, choosing a quieter life of service over institutional prominence.
What distinguishes Bishop Caldwell from many other clerics is his sharp and open critique of U.S. politics, regardless of party affiliation. He has voiced concerns about both progressive and conservative agendas, often challenging ideologies that conflict with core Christian principles. His statements have drawn criticism, but also admiration for their consistency and courage.
Locals in Peru see him not as an outsider, but as someone who listens, walks with the people, and speaks truth where it’s needed. His fluent Spanish and deep cultural integration have made him a respected figure far beyond church walls.
In an age of division and media-driven narratives, Caldwell represents a quieter kind of leadership—rooted not in power, but in proximity. His story is not just one of geography, but of vocation: a journey that led him from American beginnings to a Peruvian calling that speaks across borders.