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London: 'Oscar Romero's message is more relevant than ever today'

  • Jo Siedlecka

Phaxsi Coca

Phaxsi Coca


Phaxsi Coca
An ecumenical service to mark the 37th anniversary of the martyrdom of Archbishop Oscar Romero took place at St Martin-in-the-Fields church in Trafalgar Square on Saturday. The theme of the event was: 'A light breaking forth like the dawn'.

In his words of welcome, the Revd Richard Carter said the message of Oscar Romero was more relevant than ever today. There was a minute's silence for the victims of the attack on Westminster Bridge last Wednesday.

Julian Filochowski, Chair of the Archbishop Romero Trust, welcomed the congregation, saying: "The centenary year of Blessed Oscar Romero's birth is a cause to celebrate the memory of this prophetic pastor - a bishop not only for El Salvador but a Saint for the Americas and beyond. Yet what have these 100 years held? What has been the signs of human progress, development, and creativity in the Americas? What have been the joys and hopes, the griefs and anxieties of peoples, not only in Central and Latin America but throughout the world? Where have people of faith witnessed the God of justice, peace and reconciliation breaking through casting the mighty from their thrones, raising and listening to the voice of the poor? And what now for the future?

Participants were asked to share with a neighbour where they have seen 'the light breaking forth like the dawn' in the world and in the Church and write a word or phrase which were collected during the service. The Rev David Cornick, General Secretary of Church Together in England read Isaiah (58: 5-12)

Pat Gaffney General Secretary of Pax Christi read an extract from Blessed Oscar Romero's 1979 Epiphany homily: 'Rise up in splendour Jerusalem for your light has come!' Fr Joe Ryan, Chair of Westminster Diocese Justice and Peace Commission led a prayer of affirmation.

Sister Martha Zechmeister CJ, from the University of Central America in San Salvador then gave the keynote speech, reflecting on Archbishop Romero's response to the situation in El Salvador on the brink of civil war, when massive human rights abuses were taking place. Quoting Isaiah, in the Epiphany homily, Archbishop Romero said: "There are only ruins here, there is nothing more than pessimism, a tremendous sense of frustration." Then in his own words Romero said: 'We are stuck in a dead end alley. .. politics and diplomacy achieve nothing here ..."

Citing the endless wars, terrorist attacks, more than 60 million refugees, hunger, poverty and climate change, Sr Martha said: "I think many of us are bending to feel the same way with respect to our actual global situation. "It seems that our world is getting a little bit out of control.... we are tempted to despair."

"Exactly into this situation come those prophetic words of Oscar Romero: ' Over these ruins of ours the glory of the Lord will shine. That is the great mission that Christians have at this critical moment: keep hope alive."

The musicians and choir led hymns on the theme of hope and peace, including Marty Haughan's Return to God, and CJ Goldings God You Raise Up True Disciples. During the service the Bolivian instrumentalist Phaxsi Coca and her husband performed a beautiful Andean piece on flute, pan pipes and harp. They also serenaded the congregation at the end of the service.

Other services to mark the anniversary of Blessed Romero's martyrdom have been held in Birmingham, Liverpool, Leeds, Manchester and Edinburgh.

See also: Text: Martha Zechmeister CJ - Romero Week Lecture 2017 www.indcatholicnews.com/news.php?viewStory=32213

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