London: Romero Service 2023: 'Responding to the Cry of the Poor Today'

Candles and roses around a bust of St Oscar Romero, an excellent talk on 'Responding to the Cry of the Poor Today' by the President of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) and inspirational music about discipleship in today's world, all contributed to Saturday's annual ecumenical service in London on Saturday.

Archbishop Oscar Romero of El Salvador was assassinated by a right-wing death squad on 24 March 1980 while celebrating Mass. Many events in his honour have taken place around the UK.

The service marking the 43rd anniversary of his martyrdom at St Martin in the Fields in Trafalgar Square, was led by Rev Richard Carter. The address was given by Dr Maria Exall, the Catholic TUC President. It was organised by the Archbishop Romero Trust, in conjunction with the Conference of Religious, CAFOD, Christian Aid, Missio, National Justice and Peace Network of England and Wales and Pax Christi.

The congregation at St Martin's included representatives of these organisations, among them Christine Allen, director of CAFOD and Andrew Jackson who leads Pax Christi UK. The three co-chairs of the Archbishop Romero Trust were there - Julian Filochowski, Stephen Davies and Clare Dixon. Several homeless people who always receive a warm welcome in the parish also attended. Members of the congregation travelled from as far afield as Windsor and Coventry. The service was livestreamed to a wider audience. (See link below to watch a recording.)

Romero has an "incredible relevance today" said Revd Carter, "especially for those of us who long for a world of greater justice, especially for victims of violence and poverty." He felt Romero, "was a voice for the voiceless" and that there is a need for such a voice today.

An extract from a 1977 homily of St Oscar Romero was read out by Fr Kevin Melody O Carm. "The Church cannot remain silent when it sees these injustices of an economic nature, of a political nature, of a social nature," said Romero.

Dr Exall was a student attending the Catholic Chaplaincy at Sheffield University when she heard the news of Romero's murder in 1980 and was "deeply affected by what happened." She talked about Romero's conversion experience, which came when his appointment as Archbishop of San Salvador brought him up against the extremes of wealth and poverty. He was also much affected by the brutal murder of his friend Fr Rutilio Grande and his companions in a roadside shooting. "He opened us to hearing the cry of the poor," she said. She highlighted injustices in the UK today such as in-work poverty, child poverty and the harsh treatment of immigrants, suggesting that Romero can guide us in how to respond.

"We are here to serve others, to defend workers' rights, including the right to form unions," which she pointed out is endorsed by Catholic Social Teaching from the time of Rerum Novarum. She reported that, "the TUC general council is full of Catholics." Dr Exall concluded with: "St Oscar Romero pray for us."

Singers accompanied by Chris Olding of Wheatsheaf Music on piano, sang stirring Justice and Peace hymns. These included his 'God you raise up true disciples', 'Community of Christ' by Shirley Erena Murray, and 'In the land' by Bernadette Farrell.

The Blessing and Sending Forth included: "The Spirit of unity draws us all together to secure the liberation of the poor and the integrity of creation, here and across the world."

LINKS

Watch a recording of the service: www.facebook.com/stmartininthefields

Archbishop Romero Trust: www.romerotrust.org.uk/

Read Dr Maria Exall's address: www.indcatholicnews.com/news/46831