 Oscar Romero |
Issue 103 |
Oscar Romero
A Voice for the Voiceless
As Lent progresses the reality of Jesus' cruel torture, crucifixion and ultimate humiliating death at the hands of his people comes to life. In this sacred time it is important to look at our own lives and to examine whether we are living a life that reflects our faith in Jesus. Are we looking out for everyone in our community: the poor, the vulnerable, the sick and the lonely?
Are we treating the people in our community with dignity and respect? Are we listening to everyone? As we look for answers and inspiration it helps to remember that Jesus has inspired many people to follow in his footsteps. One person who modelled his life on Jesus and like Jesus was murdered for his actions was Archbishop Oscar Romero.
On Holy Thursday as we prepare for Jesus' death we also commemorate Oscar Romero who was murdered 25 years ago on March 24 th 1980 as he was saying mass in his home town in El Salvador.
Romero was a powerful person and used his position as Archbishop of San Salvador to speak out for the oppressed and the vulnerable. He became a voice for the voiceless by challenging the unjust government of his country. As a consequence of his actions and his relentless pursuit for justice and peace for his people, Romero was killed.
Oscar Romero began his priestly life as a conservative man. He followed what everyone else was doing and did not question nor challenge the status quo. At the time the Government of El Salvador and the wealthy upper class were pursuing a "war on the poor" and El Salvador was full of violence and oppression.
The country had experienced a succession of corrupt and violent governments and the military had developed a 'death squad' mentality, murdering and terrorising people that worked for justice. When Romero's friend Rutilio Grande, a Jesuit priest was murdered because of his work for social justice, Romero changed. His anger and bewilderment fuelled a personal transformation and Romero emerged as a champion for justice and human rights.
He would not listen to the constant threats from his fellow bishops or Government and continued to voice his disapproval and speak about the need for the Church and Government in El Salvador to bring the gospel values to life. The day before his death Romero appealed to the military in the following speech "The peasants you kill are your own brothers and sisters. When you hear the voice of the man commanding you to kill, remember instead the voice of God. Thou Shalt Not Kill …. In the name of God, in the name of our tormented people whose cries rise up to heaven, I beseech you, I beg you, I command you, stop the repression". But they did not listen and the following day Romero was shot as he was saying Mass.
Lent is a time to not only reflect on the death of Jesus but most importantly to rejoice in his ultimate triumph through the resurrection. So too with Oscar Romero, whose tragic assassination continues to triumph as it fuels human rights and social justice movements in El Salvador and the global community.
Oscar Romero himself stated that "Martyrdom is a great gift from God that I do not believe I have earned. But if God accepts the sacrifice of my life then may my blood be the seed of liberty, and a sign of the hope that will soon become a reality… A bishop will die, but the church of God – the people will never die".
Without a doubt Oscar Romero does live on in the hearts of the El Salvadorans and in the many people and organisations like Caritas Australia that are relentless in their pursuit of justice and peace. This Easter let us remember Oscar Romero who, like Jesus, was killed because he gave a voice to the voiceless.
Activities across the Curriculum
Visit the Project Compassion Materials section on the Caritas website www.caritas.org.au/ourwork/pc05/materials.htm. Scroll down to the subheading: "School Materials". Click on the two powerpoint presentations about Oscar Romero: "Project Compassion and Oscar Romero Power Point Presentation" and "The Teachings of Oscar Romero". Watch both power point presentations on Romero and answer the following questions:
- How old was Romero when he was killed?
- List 5 examples of how Romero's spirit lives on in the work of Caritas Australia.
- Who does Deysi from El Salvador say are the poorest and most vulnerable people in El Salvador today?
- How did Romero make a difference to Deysi?
- What can you do to make a difference today?
materials/Caritas%20Australia_Project%20
Compassion%202005_Symbol_sheets.pdf
English/Creative Arts
1) Click on the Romero activities included in the Project Compassion materials at: http://www.caritas.org.au/ourwork/pc05/materials/
materials/Caritas%20Australia_Project%20
Compassion%202005_Schools_
SecondaryStories_Web.pdf
Art
1a) The Stations of the Cross are a pictorial display of the fourteen stages leading up to Jesus' death. Go to the following site to view a Kenyan interpretation of Jesus' death: www.wischik.com/irene/cross/
Look at the images and record the title of each of the stations.
b) Think about Romero's life and using the following site www.gratefulness.org/giftpeople/romero.htm
Record 14 stages that led to his death.
English
1) Click on the following site www.justpeace.org/romero.htm and choose a sermon from Oscar Romero to read. Write the title of sermon and the date it was delivered. Then compile a 15 point summary of the sermon listing the key points.
2) Imagine you have heard the sermon in real life. Write a letter to Romero to tell him what you thought about his sermon.
3) Imagine that you have been asked to deliver a 5 minute speech to your school community to inform them about the work of Oscar Romero and to encourage the people to work for peace and justice. Use information from the following website to help you: www.caritas.org.au/ourwork/pc05/materials/materials/Caritas%20Australia_Project%20
Compassion%202005_Schools_
SecondaryStories_Web.pdf
Scroll down to page 8 for the story of Romero. In your speech include a catchy introduction, at least 6 main points, facts and a conclusion that sums up your speech.
HSIE/SOSE
1) Click on the following Caritas Project Compassion site and scroll down to worksheets 2 and 3 which relate specifically to Millennium Development Goals.
www.caritas.org.au/ourwork/pc05/materials/
materials/Caritas%20Australia_Project%20
Compassion%202005_Schools_WorkSheets_Web.pdf
2) Complete a timeline on the history of El Salvador by clicking on the following site: www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/
central_america/el_salvador/history.htm and including key dates.
Religious Education
1) Click on the Romero activities included in the Project Compassion materials at:
www.caritas.org.au/ourwork/pc05/materials/
materials/Caritas%20Australia_Project%20
Compassion%202005_Schools_
SecondaryStories_Web.pdf
Scroll down to page 7 and complete the activities under the heading: "Romero: Religion/HSIE/SOSE".
2) "The most basic human test answers this question: How are our most vulnerable members doing? The poor and vulnerable are our brothers and sisters, deserving of respect, the protection of their rights, and the ability to participate and share in God's good creation"
The statement above is the basis of Catholic Social Teaching. It is known as 'The Principle of the Preferential Option and Love for the Poor and Vulnerable'. Think about your own actions with the poor and vulnerable in your life and answer the following questions:
- Who are the poor and vulnerable in your school community?
- Who are the poor and vulnerable in your local community?
- Who are the poor and vulnerable in your global community?
- How do you think Jesus worked for the poor and the vulnerable of his community?
- How do you think Oscar Romero lived out a preferential option and love for the poor?
- How can you work to participate in the 'preferential option and love for the poor and vulnerable' in your school, local and global communities?
3) Catholic Social Teaching informs the Catholic community about why we must work for peace and justice. Visit the following site: www.alvernia.edu/communityservice/call.htm and scroll down to the heading 'Modern Catholic Social Teaching'.
- Copy out the 9 different principles and their meaning.
- For each principle write down something you can do in the next week to live out the principle.
4) Go to Caritas Australia's Project Compassion reflections at the following site www.caritas.org.au/ourwork/pc05/materials/
materials/Caritas%20Australia_Project%20
Compassion%202005_School_Reflections.pdf
and read through. Complete the following journal question in a one-page response: How can the lives of Jesus and Oscar Romero inspire your own life?
Read through the Lenten reflections found in the Caritas Project Compassion materials:
www.caritas.org.au/bourwork/pc05/materials/
materials/Caritas%20Australia_Project%20
Compassion%202005_Parishes_Reflections.pdf
Reflect upon what Lent means to you and how you can use the example of Jesus and Oscar Romero to guide you in your life.
2) View the powerpoint presentations about Romero's life and teachings and how his spirit lives on today in the work of Caritas Australia. Visit: www.caritas.org.au/ourwork/pc05/materials.htm .Scroll down to the subheading: "School Materials". Click on the two powerpoint presentations about Oscar Romero: "Project Compassion and Oscar Romero Power Point Presentation" and "The Teachings of Oscar Romero".
Other Useful Links
salt.claretianpubs.org/romero/rindex.html is a remembrance for the 20 th anniversary of Oscar Romero.
www.betterworldlinks.org/book35d.htm has key information and statements by Oscar Romero and other people who have worked for social justice.