By Dan Sullivan
Catholic Herald

Anniversary of Archbishop Oscar Romero's assassination marked

SUPERIOR -- On March 24, 1980, Salvadoran Archbishop Oscar Romero was assassinated while celebrating Mass. Romero is long recalled for his fight against civil unrest in El Salvador.

On March 24, a quarter century following his death, the life of Romero was remembered at Superior's Holy Assumption Church. At this event, parishioner Karen Barschdorf led the reading of many of Romero's homilies.

Of the sermons read, one was given by Romero just a day before he was fatally wounded. In this particular homily Romero made a public appeal to soldiers, national guardsmen and police of El Salvador to stop the killing of people.

"When you hear the words of men telling you to kill, remember instead the words of God, 'Thou shalt not kill.' No soldier is obliged to obey an order contrary to the law of God. In the name of God, in the name of the tormented people who have suffered so much and whose laments cry out to heaven, I beseech you, I beg you, I order you in the name of God, stop the repression."

Over a year ago, realizing 2005 would be the 25th anniversary of Romero's death, Barschdorf began planning events to remember the archbishop's life and his message.

"I've been thinking about doing something to remember his death for a long time," she said.

One individual who joined Barschdorf in reading the homilies was Michael Anderson of Duluth, Minn. He explained that it was through Barschdorf that he became interested in Romero.

"Our society and religions do not show enough support to the various needs that Christ talked about," Anderson said.

"Oscar Romero alerts us to the fact that the church came from caring for people and humanity. My social work studies have led me to learn more about social justice and about Oscar Romero."

A Mass was celebrated in Romero's honor, March 23.

"I also had a Mass said last year on March 24, but because of Holy Thursday, it had to be moved to Wednesday (this year)," Barschdorf said.

To help familiarize people with the life of this archbishop, the movie "Romero" was shown Feb. 20. The film showed how before Romero was named archbishop, he was seen with both the rich and the poor. Early on, the film depicted how Romero was faced with the death of the first priest he had ordained, Fr. Rutilio Grande. The young priest, and two of Grande's parishioners, were shot and killed. Grande was a target because he defended the peasants' rights to organize farm cooperatives.

After these murders, Romero's life was changed and he began standing up for the farmers. He urged the people of El Salvador to keep the Catholic Church at the center of their lives and continue their work for justice.

"They were murdered and we must not let this happen again," he said.

Other scenes showed Romero being blocked by soldiers from obtaining the Blessed Sacrament from a church, which had been taken over for a military barracks. The film also shared how Romero felt helpless over the fact that he could not stop the violence. Of those killed were 200 catechists and farmers who attended a country church where Romero celebrated a Mass.

Besides the murders, countless others were left homeless or were constantly on the run from the country's army. During his weekly radio addresses, Romero offered his voice, assuring the people that although the atrocities may not have ceased, the Catholic Church would live on.

He was quoted as saying, "If some day they take away the radio station from us, if they don't let us speak, if they kill all the priests and the bishops too, and you are left a people without priests, each one of you must become God's microphone, each one of you must become a prophet."

Another scene showed Romero being jailed for participating in a protest. While imprisoned he learned of the injustices that went on behind the prison walls. Overhearing a prisoner being tortured, Romero screamed repeatedly for this beating to stop.

Since the mission of the church is to join in people's struggles, he called for all to live in peace.

"Search for justice," Romero often said.

Romero's quest for justice didn't stop within the borders of his own country. In 1980, the archbishop wrote a letter to U.S. president Jimmy Carter. In this correspondence Romero told of his concerns over a plan by the U.S. government to further El Salvador's arms race by sending military equipment and advisors and to train Salvadoran battalions.

"If this information is correct, instead of favoring greater justice and peace in El Salvador, your government's contribution will undoubtedly sharpen the injustice and repression inflicted on the organized people, whose struggle has often been for respect for their most basic human rights."

In his letter, he also told Carter about a group of six Americans who supplied funds for gas masks and flak jackets and taught soldiers how to use these devices against demonstrators. Romero wrote, "You ought to be informed that this is evident since then the security forces, with increased personal protection and efficiency, have even more violently repressed the people, using deadly weapons."

The legacy of Romero lives on in the hearts and minds of many individuals worldwide, including that of Barschdorf.

"His homilies speak so much of the times we live in today," she said and added, "They need to be read aloud. Even if there is no one in the church, these homilies need to be read for the people of El Salvador."

Many see the homilies as a form of prayer.

"They are prayers for the people of El Salvador and the world," Barschdorf said.

She said Romero's words are simple and teach about social justice and peace.

"To me, his whole message is one of Christ," Barschdorf said.

"Romero said to defend yourself with love; not using guns, tanks and weapons. This love demands the greatest courage and the greatest of faith," she said.

Romero's homilies also portray the total commitment he had for Christ.

"And the sacredness of all life," Barschdorf said.

"Thou shalt not kill, I think in this day and age, this commandment should be screamed across the universe," she said.

< Local Archives

© Superior Catholic Herald, 2005