SHARE Celebrates the 25 th Anniversary of Romero’s Legacy in El Salvador
“If I die, I will rise again in my people.”
We witnessed the truth of Romero’s prophecy between March 28 th and April 3 rd. SHARE brought 150 people to El Salvador to commemorate his death and celebrate his legacy in the people of El Salvador today. The week formally began with a series of reflections at the Wall of Memory and Truth. Salvadorans and U.S. citizens spoke of the civil war, the meaning of Romero and solidarity, and the current struggles for economic justice and against the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA). A reading from a piece written by Rufino Maya, the lone survivor of the El Mozote massacre, left tears running down the faces of North Americans and Salvadorans alike. A woman from the urban parish of San Roque spoke about the devastating construction of a beltway around San Salvador which is literally paving the way towards free trade. She warned that the beltway will cause the deforestation of over 70,000 trees, a lack of accessible potable water and the displacement of numerous poor communities. These stories reflect the past and present injustices and struggles in El Salvador .
Delegates spent two days in rural El Salvador to learn about and see the reality of Salvadoran farmers and the rural poor by visiting either SHARE’s new local development projects in Chalchuapa and Atiquizaya, or SHARE’s historical sistering or local development partners . For some, this was an opportunity to visit old friends and renew relationships. For others, this was an opportunity to see the campo for the first time and begin new relationships. Those who visited our historical partner regions saw the fruits of regional projects focused on empowering youth and women to become leaders in their communities and regions. As Faye Butler wrote in April’s sustainer letter after visiting communities in San Vicente and Asuchillo, “In Asuchillo, and the other communities that welcomed us, I was struck once again by the strength and the faith of the people, particularly the women. As Francisco [president of CRIPDES San-Vicente] told us, there cannot be true development without the women, both in the communities and in the country.”
“My voice will disappear, but my word, which is Christ, will remain in the hearts that have made it their own.”
Everyone also had an opportunity to visit the three sacred sites: the National Cathedral, the Catholic University- where the six Jesuits and the two women were murdered in 1989, and Divina Providencia- the cancer hospital where Romero lived and was assassinated.
Visiting the National Cathedral delegates found that Romero was no longer in his usual spot- in a marble tomb in the middle of the crypt. He is now upstairs, in the main church behind the altar. Gigi Gruenke, a SHARE board member, remarked when visiting the cathedral with her community from the Bajo Lempa, “The people were perplexed by the sudden unannounced relocation. I believe that this was an effort to take Romero from the people and the next step will be for the church to stop the people’s masses that take place every Sunday in the crypt in honor of Romero.” It is troubling that Gigi’s predictions were accurate; just over a week ago, Archbishop Saenz Lacalle ordered that the popular, informal ‘Romero’ masses which took place in the crypt each week cease. When Bishop Urioste proclaimed this to the group gathered for worship that Sunday, it was met with screams of sorrow. The Christian based communities are now trying to decide how they will respond and where they will continue worshipping their “Saint Romero.” We will continue to update you on this situation and how to respond.
On Saturday, 40,000 people gathered for a commemorative mass at Salvador del Mundo. Cardinal Rodriguez from Honduras was to deliver the homily. Although he could not come, due to the death of Pope Juan Paul II, he sent a homily, which was read to the crowd. We also listened to the human rights ombudswoman, Beatrice de Carrillo, who bravely continues to speak the truth- as Romero did.
“If the grain of wheat does not die, it will bear no fruit; but if it does, how great the fruit.”
Romero’s seed has born many fruits. The testimony to that is the thousands that came from throughout the Americas and across the globe to accompany and celebrate with the people of El Salvador . Students, workers, religious orders, and peasants were among the many in attendance.. One of these fruits is that a group of Mayans from Guatemala were able to hold an open religious ceremony on behalf of Romero.
We left Salvador del Mundo in three long lines processing to the cathedral. Everyone attempted to keep their candles in their paper or colorful plastic and wood candleholders lit, which was almost impossible in the gusting wind that night. We listened to broadcasts of Romero’s homilies over a loudspeaker and we chanted with the others, “Romero vive vive, la lucha sigue sigue.” Romero lives and the struggle continues.
The words of Gustavo Gutierrez echoed from Monday night’s talk at the UCA: While Romero had to be the “voice of the voiceless” for the poor who were being tortured and killed daily. Now the poor can be their own voice, a voice that Romero constantly encouraged.
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