My name is Father Ismael Joaquin Barros Peña. I was born in Madrid, Spain, on July 11, 1971. I have been a missionary with the Verbum Dei Missionary Fraternity since 1989 and was ordained a priest in Moscow in 2000.
As of February 2025, I have been assigned to the community in Moscow, working alongside two fellow missionaries: Angel Eusebio Úsuga Hurtado (Colombia) and Noel Campos (Singapore).
Our work here has two main focuses:
Spiritual Formation: We teach the Russian people how to pray with the Word of God. This ministry is incredibly impactful right now, as there is a profound thirst for spirituality in the wake of the communist era.
Pastoral Care: The Diocese of Moscow has officially entrusted us with the Spanish and Portuguese-speaking chaplaincy. Our parishioners are mostly students from Latin America and Africa.
Currently, our Sunday Mass at the Cathedral attracts an average of 300 people. We also have a vibrant group of over 50 young people serving in various ministries. These students will eventually return to their home countries to take on leadership roles, making their spiritual formation here crucial.
We extend our sincere gratitude to the Giuseppe d’Arimatea Foundation for your support. Your contribution will directly enhance the quality of service and care we can provide to this growing community.
Project supporting Father Jose Ignacio Gutierrez Morales, Founder of the Ecclesial Association „ALEGRIA Y ESPERANZA”
Project supporting Priest Pedro Santiz Gomez at „FRATERNIDAD MISIONERA APOSTOLES DE LA PALABRA”
Project supporting Priest Ismael Joaquin Barros Peña at „VERBUM DEI MISSIONARY FRATERNITY”