El Salvador: Church announces Jubilee Year of the Martyrs

Source: Fides

Forty years after the martyrdom of Saint Oscar Romero the Church in El Salvador has announced a Jubilee Year of the Martyrs.

In a Message the Bishops Conference of El Salvador said: "Martyrdom is the greatest testimony of faith, because it faithfully reproduces Christ, giving his life so that others can have life in abundance" (cf. Jn 10:10),

The national martyrs will be celebrated on March 12, the 43rd anniversary of the martyrdom of Fr.Rutilio Grande; March 24, the 40th Anniversary of the martyrdom of San Oscar Arnulfo Romero; and June 14, the 40th anniversary of the martyrdom of Fr Cosme Spessotto. On July 31, August 1 and 2, the great oilgrimage to Ciudad Barrios, the birthplace of San Oscar Arnulfo Romero, and the National Congress on martyrs will take place.

"The martyrs gave their lives and accompany us on our pilgrimage of faith. We want to hear their voice and at the same time we want to echo that voice. Therefore, we respectfully ask the Parliamentary Assembly to promulgate an authentic "National Reconciliation Law" to do justice to victims, know the truth and define compensation", say the Bishops.

In asking for justice for the population, the Bishops also ask for "a new system of assistance for retirees" and the definitive approval of the "General Water Law", which ensures all Salvadoran citizens the right to water. "Water is a public good, therefore it must be administered only by the State", write the Bishops who invite the population "to make use of their right to democratic participation and to make their voices heard on social networks, sending as many messages to the deputies, asking that, in accordance with their constitutional mandate, they legislate on each of the points indicated, in favor of the people who elected them and in defense of the rights of the poorest".

Finally, the Bishops express solidarity with migrants and ask for the respect of their rights.