Southwark: Archbishop Romero Centenary Year launched

Blessed Oscar Romero

Hundreds of people gathered in St George's Cathedral, Southwark, on Saturday, for a special Mass to celebrate Blessed Oscar Romero's 99th birthday.

In his homily, Bishop Patrick Lynch, Bishop for Migrants reflected on the Parable of the Good Samaritan and the suffering of many people today, inspired by a homily Romero preached on the same subject over thirty years ago.

"The Good Samaritan truly 'sees' the suffering: he is 'sensitive' to the suffering: he 'stays' with the suffering and he 'speaks up' for those who are suffering. That is precisely what Oscar Romero did in his ministry in El Salvador."

In this Year of Mercy, Bishop Lynch then encouraged all people to be 'prophets of God's Mercy' - to speak up for those who suffer and are exploited.

"This means reminding the leaders of business that the dignity of all workers - no matter how 'menial' their work - must be respected. This means reminding and working with Government to ensure that everything is done that can be done, through legislation and action, to eradicate such exploitation and prevent it happening in the future. This means doing all we can to bring to justice the perpetrators of such injustice."

The Mass also launched the Archbishop Romero Centenary which was marked with a toast to Oscar Romero, given by Bishop John Rawsthorne of the Romero Trust, who cut a birthday cake in his honour alongside the new Ambassador to the United Kingdom from El Salvador.

Throughout the anniversary year there will be special events, talks and services to mark the ministry, martyrdom and enduring legacy of Blessed Oscar Romero. Further details will be found on the Trust's website, Facebook and Twitter.

Many thanks to all who came, and the supporting organisations of the Archdiocese of Southwark Commission for Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation, CAFOD, Missio and Pax Christi.

He 'stays' with the suffering and he 'speaks up' for those who are suffering. That is precisely what Oscar Romero did in his ministry in El Salvador."

In this Year of Mercy, Bishop Lynch then encouraged all people to be 'prophets of God's Mercy' - to speak up for those who suffer and are exploited.

"This means reminding the leaders of business that the dignity of all workers - no matter how 'menial' their work - must be respected. This means reminding and working with Government to ensure that everything is done that can be done, through legislation and action, to eradicate such exploitation and prevent it happening in the future. This means doing all we can to bring to justice the perpetrators of such injustice."

The Mass also launched the Archbishop Romero Centenary which was marked with a toast to Oscar Romero, given by Bishop John Rawsthorne of the Romero Trust, who cut a birthday cake in his honour alongside the new Ambassador to the United Kingdom from El Salvador.

Throughout the anniversary year there will be special events, talks and services to mark the ministry, martyrdom and enduring legacy of Blessed Oscar Romero. Further details will be found on the Trust's website, Facebook and Twitter.

Supporting organisations included the Archdiocese of Southwark Commission for Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation, CAFOD, Missio and Pax Christi.

See also: Text: Homily by Bishop Patrick Lynch at Mass for 99th birthday of Blessed Oscar Romero www.indcatholicnews.com/news.php?viewStory=30717