Niño Compadrito

The is a bone effigy, believed to be the skeleton of a boy, venerated as a folk saint with a local following, located in a residence in Cuzco, Peru. The skeleton has been in the care of the Belén family since at least the 1950s,

Relationship with the Catholic Church The Catholic Church has not accepted the as an official saint and the relationship between the Catholic Church and the effigy has varied since it first gained a following. In September 1976, Archbishop issued a decree from the which forbade Catholic devotion to and declared it was a form of superstitious belief. at which point devotees began requesting visits again, and six months later the effigy was replaced for devotee visits. Since this period the relationship between the effigy and the Church has changed, and the effigy will sometimes be taken to the church to celebrate Mass on the Day of the Dead or other special occasions.