Pope Leo XIV pushes forward plans to build a basilica at the Eucharistic miracle site in Ciudad Eten despite legal disputes in Peru

In northern Peru, there’s a site with deep religious significance — the place where a Eucharistic miracle happened back in 1649.

For decades, Church leaders have dreamed of building a grand basilica there, turning the current modest chapel into a major pilgrimage destination.

But this dream has been tangled up in legal battles over land ownership and complicated further by the use of the chapel for non-Catholic services.

The Miracle Behind the Shrine

The story goes back to January 20, 1649, when ciboria and consecrated hosts were stolen from a convent in Quito, Ecuador.

After this sacrilege, prayers and Masses of reparation spread north to Peru.

Then, on June 2, the eve of Corpus Christi, locals in Ciudad Eten reported seeing the Divine Child Jesus appear in a consecrated host.

A month later, four Franciscan priests also witnessed the same apparition.

Afterward, the image of the Child vanished, replaced by three hearts symbolizing the Holy Trinity.

This miraculous event deeply moved Peruvians at the time, with bells ringing and people weeping across the country.

This event is well-documented, with records kept in the Vatican Library in Rome, the General Archive of the Indies in Spain, and in Lima’s St. Francis Convent library.

Blessed Carlo Acutis, who famously cataloged Eucharistic miracles, included this one in his collection.

A Bishop’s Vision for the Shrine

In 2021, then-Bishop Robert Prevost (now Pope Leo XIV) championed the idea of building a Eucharistic Shrine on an 11-hectare plot in Ciudad Eten, the very place of the miracle.

He saw it as a vital pastoral mission, a way to honor Peru’s rich faith history.

The plan wasn’t just for a basilica; it also included a pilgrim guesthouse, a hospital, and an artisan park to support local crafts and culture. But the path forward wasn’t smooth.

Land Disputes and the Multisectoral Committee

A group calling themselves the “Multisectoral Committee of Eten City” claims they’ve owned the land for over 50 years.

They oppose the Church’s plans and have even taken control of the chapel.

Christian Pulcan, part of the Catholic group supporting the miracle’s recognition, expressed his frustration: “There’s a group here in Eten that has taken over the chapel and brought in false priests.”

The committee’s president, Italo Chafloc, defended their position, saying they want their land rights respected and that the legal process is ongoing — but slow.

Unauthorized Ceremonies and “Fake Priests”

The conflict isn’t only about land. In 2018, Bishop Prevost was actually barred from entering the chapel when he discovered an unauthorized Mass was being held.

Police found men dressed as priests, claiming to be Anglicans, but the official Anglican Church denied any connection.

More recently, someone named Fernando Hoyos Ortega held a Communion ceremony there without being a priest, claiming an Episcopalian connection and invitation from the committee.

The Diocese publicly stated he has no authorization to celebrate any liturgical acts.

Others have reportedly celebrated non-Catholic ceremonies in the chapel, which adds to the tension and concern from the Catholic community.

Legitimate Masses, Pulcan insists, take place only at the St. Mary Magdalene Parish in Ciudad Eten.

Legal and Cultural Complexities

In 2022, the Diocese secured a lease on the land from the regional government. However, legal battles continue.

The land is officially declared a cultural heritage site, containing not only relics related to the miracle but also pre-Hispanic archaeological remains.

This means the Church cannot claim full ownership; instead, the state grants only temporary use rights.

The regional government is the legal owner, and the occupants — the Multisectoral Committee — though organized, do not have the authority to manage religious property.

Despite the disputes, the Diocese wants to find common ground but insists on respect for Church authority and doctrine.

National and Vatican Recognition on the Horizon

In May 2025, the Peruvian government declared Ciudad Eten a “Eucharistic City of National Interest” and included it in a new tourism route honoring Pope Leo XIV’s legacy.

Meanwhile, Vatican recognition of the miracle is still pending.

Bishop Prevost, before becoming pope, submitted extensive documentation to the Holy See, including 20,000 testimonies.

Now, as Pope Leo XIV, the decision rests with him to officially recognize this miracle that has inspired devotion for nearly four centuries.