Romero: Prophet and Martyr 28 Years Later
Read the Article in the Leaven!
 "Archbishop Romero: for the way that you loved, you will always be the prophet and martyr of your people." I read the words quickly as they raced by on the back of a little girl's t-shirt. Looking up, I took in the crowd of nearly 400 Salvadoran Americans who had come to Belton, Missouri to commemorate Oscar Romero with SHARE's guest, Auxiliary Bishop Gregorio Rosa Chavez of San Salvador. Bishop Chavez made an excellent ambassador of the love that Romero embodied as he spoke to his people living abroad, saying "you are a blessing to this country." Amidst immigration raids and the ethnocentric ranting of political pundits, it was clear that those words were precious to the audience. Bishop Chavez's visit to the Kansas City area was an opportunity to bear witness to Romero's legacy today.
Soon after he left El Salvador, the Bishop found himself once again surrounded by the sights, sounds, and smells of his native land. St. Sabina Parish hosted an event where the members of the Latino community gathered to commemorate Archbishop Romero. The evening was complete with music, pupusas, and intense joy. During his homily, Chavez marveled at the fourteen children dressed in folkloric costumes representing each of El Salvador's departments. He asked them how many departments there are in El Salvador. The children responded that there were fourteen. Bishop Chavez corrected them, saying that in effect there are actually only eleven. Naming the names of three departments, he said there were only eleven because El Salvador is missing La Libertad (freedom), La Paz (peace), and La Union (unity). To ensure the inclusion of these ideals, he said, we must all draw on Romero's inspiration. It was clear that Romero had indeed been resurrected in the hearts of all who were present.
As it turns out, Bishop Chavez's parish in El Salvador did not want him to accept SHARE's invitation to travel to the United States, but when he told them that he was going to speak out against the dangers of metallic mineral mining in El Salvador, they agreed. And warn against them he did. Bishop Chavez was interviewed by Univision (http://www.kukc48.com/), Kansas City KS Dioceses Newspaper the Leaven (http://www.theleaven.com/), and the National Catholic Reporter (http://ncronline.org/). He also met with Archbishop Naumann of Kansas City, KS.
He warned of the dangers of cyanide poisoning that would result from mining process. He spoke of the irrevocable damage that would be done to the the northern part of the country, where, incidentally, nearly all of the country's water comes from. As the Kansas State Legislature debated draconian immigration policies, Bishop Chavez connected the environmental destruction caused by projects like mining and the 700 immigrants that leave El Salvador each day, heading for El Norte. Chavez made good on his promise to carry the anti mining message to the United States.
As a capstone to his visit, Bishop Chavez was hosted at Visitation Parish in Kansas City for a Prayer Service in commemoration of Archbishop Romero. Pastoral Associate Peg Eckerdt presided over a fusion of song, celebration, and solemnity that evoked the spirit of solidarity. In preparation for the event, 300 crosses were made with the names of civilian non-combatants killed during the civil war who were recently added to the Wall of Memory in Parque Cuscatlan in San Salvador. These martyrs who waited so long to be honored were remembered alongside Romero in a moving ceremony. This embodied the way in which Romero's assassination is representative of the many senseless deaths that occurred and continue to occur in an El Salvador that is still waiting for social, economic, and environmental justice.
Throughout the United States, SHARE's annual Romero Justice Celebration continues. Events from Washington DC to Milwaukee WI to Berkeley CA are keeping Romero's spirit alive and challenging us to live out his legacy. Check out our website for more on the 2008 Romero Justice Celebration!
SHARE is deeply grateful to Bishop Chavez for making the trip to Kansas City, as well as his home parish, San Francisco of San Salvador, for lending us his time. We also greatly appreciate the support of the Salvador Faith Accompaniment Committee of the greater Kansas City area, Visitation Parish, St. Sabina Parish, the National Catholic Reporter, the Diocese of Kansas City Kansas, and the countless individuals who made these event successful. ¡Gracias, y adelante con el trabajo de solidaridad!
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