Meet The Gozitan Priest-Doctor Changing Lives in Peru

From Nadur to the Amazon: Because sometimes, heroes don’t wear capes, they wear a collar, carry a stethoscope, and call a small corner of the Amazon “home.”

In a small medical clinic deep in the Peruvian Amazon, a clinic he built himself next to the church he personally restored, our very own Keane Cutajar sat down with Father Raymond Portelli, a Gozitan priest, doctor, and lecturer, who has spent the last thirty years transforming lives in Iquitos, Peru.

Every week, hundreds of people walk through the doors of this humble clinic to receive free medical care, many of them travelling for hours through remote jungle villages just to see the Maltese priest who heals both body and soul.

When MaltaDaily met Fr Raymond in person, the atmosphere was extraordinary. The small waiting area outside was full of patients, mothers with children, elderly, young families, all waiting calmly for their turn, all speaking of the same man with deep love and respect.

“I’m from Nadur, Gozo,” Fr Raymond smiled. “I studied at the Gozo Seminary and, shortly after being ordained, I came to Peru. I spent about a year and a half in another town, and then I was sent here to the Amazon region. I’ve now been the parish priest here for thirty years.”

But Fr Raymond’s mission didn’t stop at preaching. After his ordination, he felt called to serve his community in an even deeper way by studying medicine in Peru itself. Today, he serves as both a parish priest of two parishes bigger than the size of Malta, and a medical doctor, offering treatment to those who would otherwise have nowhere to turn. He also lectures up and coming medical students, and how he does all of this in 24 hours, we are still unsure.

“After becoming a priest, I studied medicine,” he explained. “Now I serve as a parish priest for two communities and as a doctor. I see people every day, helping them not only physically, but also spiritually.”

Over time, Fr Raymond has transformed his parish into a centre of hope. What started as a modest mission church with no visitors, has grown into a complex of facilities that offer shelter for the homeless, rehabilitation for people overcoming addiction, and a home for the elderly. His next dream is to open a safe house for vulnerable children suffering from physical, psychological, or sexual abuse.

“I dream of creating a home for children who are victims of abuse,” he shared passionately. “Some of these children have nowhere safe to go. I want to give them protection until the government can find them a permanent home.”

Working alongside a psychologist, Fr Raymond also focuses on mental health, believing that healing must address both body and mind. “We try to provide integral attention,” he explained. “Not just physical health, but psychological and spiritual care as well.”

During our visit to Iquitos, we also had the privilege of attending a Mass celebrated by Fr Raymond himself and it was unlike anything we had ever experienced before. The entire church was alive with joy, song, and movement. The priest, the choir, and the congregation sang and danced with full hearts, celebrating their faith in the most peaceful and uplifting way imaginable.

Inside the church, we noticed something remarkable, a soundproof children’s area that Fr Raymond had designed and built himself. While parents attended Mass in silence and prayer, children played safely inside this room, watching the celebration live on a screen. It was a simple yet brilliant gesture that reflected his understanding of what true community and inclusion mean.

And as soon as the Mass ended, an incredible sight unfolded: entire families rushed towards Fr Raymond to receive his blessing. Parents held their children close as they approached him, some with tears in their eyes. It was clear that to them, this Maltese priest was not only a spiritual guide, he was family.

Beyond the church walls, we were given the opportunity to visit some of the homes and projects that Fr Raymond has personally established to help those in need. Among them was a rehabilitation house supporting people, including children, struggling with drug addiction, one of the region’s most pressing issues. We also visited a home for the elderly who have no family or roof over their heads, a hospital providing palliative care for patients in their final days, and a soup kitchen currently under construction, where malnourished children will soon be served daily hot meals.

Finally, we visited a shelter for homeless individuals, a simple, warm space where those who have lost everything can sleep safely and eat a proper meal. Each of these places was built or supported by Fr Raymond’s foundation, kept alive through the donations and generosity of Maltese and Gozitan families, companies, and NGOs back home.

None of this, however, would have been possible without the continued generosity of Maltese and Gozitan benefactors who have supported him for decades, and Fr Raymond clearly appreciates this. “I want to thank everyone, people from Gozo, from Malta, from all over, who have been helping me through the years,” he said sincerely. “Some donate €5, €10, €20 a month, it all makes a difference. Thanks to them, I can pay the nurses and doctors who work with me. And I must also thank Mr Paul Gauci and his foundation, who have been a great help in keeping this mission alive.”

After thirty years, Fr Raymond has become a beloved figure in Iquitos. People stop him in the streets, greet him warmly, and speak of him with admiration. Everyone knows where he lives, and everyone wants a glimpse of him yet he remains as humble as ever.

“It’s not because I’m someone special,” he smiled. “It’s simply because I’ve been here with them for thirty years, in moments of joy, in sadness, in sickness, and even in death.”

Before our time together ended, Fr Raymond shared one final message to the Maltese and Gozitan people watching from home: “First and foremost, keep praying for one another, prayer is so important. And if anyone wishes to lend a helping hand, I will be forever grateful. At the moment, we are building a new section where we feed around 50 malnourished children every day. We’d love to expand, but to do that, we need your help.”

From a small island in the Mediterranean to the depths of the Amazon rainforest, Father Raymond Portelli embodies the true Maltese spirit, compassionate, determined, and filled with heart. His story reminds us that even from the smallest of islands, we can make the biggest difference.

If you wish to support Fr Raymond’s mission and help him continue providing free medical care, food, and shelter to those in need, you can contribute to his ongoing projects. Every euro keeps his work alive,every gesture gives hope.

Because sometimes, heroes don’t wear capes, they wear a collar, carry a stethoscope, and call a small corner of the Amazon “home.”

Support Fr Raymond’s mission: Donate via:

Revolut 99556375

BOV 124 1717 3013

IBAN MT82VALL22013000000012417173013

#MaltaDaily