EMILIO LISSÓN CHÁVES
(Peru 1872 – Spain 1961)
Emilio Juan Francisco Trinidad Lissón Cháves was born on 24 May 1872 in Arequipa (Peru). From a young age, he felt called to follow priestly ministry as a member of the Congregation of the Mission. In 1892, he was sent to Paris, where he entered the Congregation on 18 May.
On 18 June 1895, he was ordained a priest in the Motherhouse of the Congregation of the Mission. On 10 September 1909, Pope Saint Pius X named him Bishop of Chachapoyas. He was consecrated on 19 September at the age of 37. The Diocese of Chachapoyas was a diocese in a very large mission state: it included part of the Andes and part of Ceja de Selva, occupying an extension equal to half of Spain. A faithful son of Saint Vincent de Paul, he put his talents, knowledge, formation, time and, above all, his faith at the disposal of the poor. In spite of distances and poor public transport, he visited the entire diocese twice. He overcame every obstacle to reach the most hidden villages in the forest.
In this phase, “mama Dolores,” his mother, accompanied him as a missionary during the nine years he spent in Chachapoyas. His religious presence, his clairvoyant intelligence, his bold and prudent action to defend the goods of the Church, and his great pastoral activity were not well regarded in some civil and ecclesiastical circles around him. For this reason, some priests of his diocese denounced him in Rome, accusing him of political ambitions and interference, bad administration and poor theological training. For this reason, he was forced to resign as Archbishop of Lima on 8 January 1931. As a consequence, he set out for Rome.
His stay in Rome resembled a situation of exile. On several occasions, he asked the Vatican to return to Peru, not as archbishop, but as a simple missionary. However, he always was denied permission, without explanation. Only the Congregation of the Reparatory Sisters of the Sacred Heart, of Peruvian foundation, reached out to him and helped him during his exile in Rome.
In 1940, he took refuge in Spain at the invitation of Marcelino Olaechea, Bishop of Pamplona. He was received very well in Spain. Thus began his stay and his apostolate in Spain. He served as auxiliary bishop to Cardinal Segura and alternated his stay in Seville with that of Valencia. He was available for the service that was required in Valencia and in any other diocese. However, from Spain he requested permission to return to Peru, but was denied by Rome. Nevertheless, life in Spain was not easy for him. He worked hard until the end of his life, but in silence and humility, like a monk.
Death took him in Valencia on 24 December 1961. On 26 December, the funeral was celebrated in the cathedral, presided over by Bishop Marcelino Olaechea. Many priests, religious, and faithful filled the church and, among them, was a large representation of the Daughters of Charity and the Vincentian Missionaries. Many were the voices that exclaimed “A saint has died.” With these sentiments, he was buried in the crypt of the Cathedral of Valencia.
The facts and actions of his life after 1931 manifest an all-out humility, a love full of mercy for his persecutors, and a great charity toward the poor. “He gave them everything,” say those who knew him. He possessed the virtue of obedience to an extraordinary degree, in the image of Christ who made himself obedient unto death, and death on a cross.
The drafting of the “Positio super virtutibus” is in progress.
Prayer to obtain graces through the intercession of the Servant of God, Emilio Francisco Trinidad Lissón Chávez:
Jesus, shepherd of our souls, who chose Your servant, Emilio Lissón Chávez, a Vincentian priest, as Bishop of Chachapoyas and Archbishop of Lima. Through him, You gave to the people of God admirable examples of humility, patience, zeal to build the Kingdom of God, great effective love for the poor and the great, and the ability to catechize. We pray that You glorify him soon before Your Church. Grant us the grace that we ask through his intercession for Your glory and the good of Your children, You who live and reign forever and ever. Amen.
