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AlphaCentauri (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore | Fri Mar-21-08 08:22 PM Original message |
Archbishop Romero anniversary on Easter Monday (28) |
The importance of Monseñor Romero in today's El Salvador is indisputable. The almost three decades since his martyrdom have not in any way diminished his image, but rather underlined his living presence. Archbishop Romero is a key reference point of national and ecclesial life, even for those who reject him, since they cannot but recognise his importance for the country and the world. In a society disfigured by violence, massive emigration, inequality and poverty, and the social and political irresponsibility of its leaders, Oscar Romero is still a hugely significant figure. Although the historic situation of the country is not what it was thirty years ago, when he began his ministry as archbishop, his message has not lost its relevance. At that time, the country was entering a period of bloody and cruel civil war; now, social violence leaves more wounded and dead than the incipient conflict did then. Today it is a generalized violence, and the protagonists are not only the gangs of youths organized for crime and drug trafficking, but also regional and international criminal organizations, the drug traffickers and the people traffickers, and ordinary men and women from so-called ‘civil society’ who cannot resolve their differences without resorting to violence and are also responsible for this violence. Therefore, in spite of the 1992 peace accords which brought an end to the civil war, whose birth and whose consequences Monseñor Romero clearly foresaw, Salvadoran society continues to be at war with itself. It yearns for reconciliation and a lasting peace, but does not know how to achieve them. It only knows military, social, domestic and gender violence. Archbishop Romero points out some roads to reconciliation and social and personal peace, but there is no one to lead the way down these roads.
Social inequality and poverty have obliged one third of El Salvador’s population to emigrate to the countries to the north - principally the United States. The break-up of families, the distance separating those who stayed from those who left, is another disfigurement with serious consequences. A decision to leave the family and the country is not an easy one. The journey is very risky and expensive. Insertion into the country of destination is not easy. Life and work conditions are hard. The persecution of emigrants feeds fear and despair. Deportation is ignominious. Loneliness and homesickness take a hold on those who left as adults. The thousands of millions of dollars which they send to help their families is also big business for the financial and commercial sector, the very ones who by reason of their avarice force people to emigrate even today. In the anguish and suffering that these wounds provoke, Archbishop Romero stands out as an understanding and compassionate pastor, near at hand and therefore a protecting presence for those sunk in uncertainty on seeing their loved ones depart, perhaps for ever, and for those who leave for strange lands, full of dreams and uncertainties. The government and the wealthy elites make strenuous efforts to project a successful image of El Salvador. They have turned the country into a 'brand' destined for the consumers of international tourism. El Salvador is presented, even by respected international organizations, as a model society. But the social violence, the massive emigration and the scandalous inequality in the distribution of income cast serious doubts on this 'brand'. In El Salvador today there is still massive poverty, concentrated in some rural areas. But even more than the poverty, the inequality caused by the unfair distribution of income corrodes the basic social structures. The usual poor are now joined by other sectors of society who are denied opportunities for stable employment, education, health, homes, etc. The fight for survival is so fierce that society, families and persons become dehumanised. The ferocious competition for the few available opportunities leaves to one side even the elementary principles of common living such as respect for the human person, for community life and solidarity. Salvadoran society today is very inhuman and even cruel. The repeated calls of Archbishop Romero to work for the justice of the kingdom of God and for the construction of human fraternity ring out especially strongly today. His valiant and visionary word is still able to denounce sin, call to conversion and arouse hope where frustration and disillusion predominate. http://www.thinkingfaith.org/articles/20080320_1.htm |
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Judi Lynn (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore | Sat Mar-22-08 12:03 PM Response to Original message |
1. I appreciate reading your article. Very sad things really aren't that much better, all considered. |
Real progress seems much slower to accomplish than destruction, doesn't it?
Here is Bishop Romero's last sermon, and thank you for pointing out the anniversary aspect for our own awareness: Archbishop Oscar Romerohttp://thirdworldtraveler.com/Human%20Rights%20Documents/Archbishop_Romero.html Funeral:More: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oscar_Romero Photos: ?v=1&c=ViewImages&k=2&d=32F168F2F013CA9A945715346C43F1B8A55A1E4F32AD3138 ?v=1&c=ViewImages&k=2&d=6E41E83E90A345BD6DDC935BD139B6DBA55A1E4F32AD3138 If these photo URL's don't work, you can see the photos individually at "google images," at: http://images.google.com/images?sourceid=navclient&aq=t&ie=UTF-8&rls=GGLD,GGLD:2004-37,GGLD:en&q=Bishop+Romero+funeral |
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