Of two minds

For years and years visitors to the little house in which Msr Óscar Romero lived on the grounds of Divina Providencia have seen this blood-stained shirt with a simple bullet hole through the left chest pocket. It hung in a display case alongside the alb and chasuble that San Romero was wearing at the time of his martyrdom. Intellectually, I knew the shirt was important, an artifact of a life snuffed out, a prophetic voice silenced and the hope of the Salvadoran people vanquished.

Now with the beatification of Msr Óscar Romero, now Blessed Óscar Romero, this shirt — not the alb, not the chasuble — this shirt drenched with his blood has taken on the level of relic. And with this change of status, the shirt no longer hangs in the display case for all to see but now has been carefully prepared and sewn (?) onto a pillow, which resides inside a glass-and-gilded box with a cross on its top. Said relic will travel from place to place before settling down at the cathedral (?).

In the thinking and style of Pablo Neruda in his poems on things or the French writer, Roland Barthes, who in his Mythologies takes on simple things and discusses the layers of meaning placed upon them, the object here has taken on more than its original simple essence. Thus, this grey shirt, which is a simple clergy shirt, becomes a museum piece to be further translated into an object of veneration, a relic.

I honestly struggle with the domestication of Romero's message, its appropriation, at times, by the right at the expense of the people for whom it was originally intended, the poor (one can argue that his message was also for the right and oligarchy, namely, to 'stop the repression'). And while I understand the importance of touching holy things and sites — I have done it myself countless times in helping out in burnishing the bronze mitre of Romero's third tomb — I still hesitate at the change that this shirt has undergone. That people venerate an object and that the spirit, the thoughts and the legacy of a person bothers me.

Rome's recognition of the importance of Romero is long overdue, no doubt about it. I am glad that Rome is gradually inching toward recognising what Central America and beyond have long recognised, that Romero is holy. I just wish this recognition would remember its origins — from the disenfranchised, the people in the streets, the poor, those without voice. I am not sure that such recognition is going to stick now that Rome has gotten in on the act 35 years later. I pray I am wrong.

As for me… I will not be venerating a shirt but trying in my own small way to continue to proclaim Romero's message of justice and his love for Jesus and love for his people.

Catedral Metropolitana

La Catedral Metropolitana de San Salvador as I first saw it in 1994. It was not finished, nor was it open to the public. We were amazed to see the banner of San Romero de las Américas hanging between the two bell towers, as well as people up in the towers. We gathered for a FMLN rally before the first free elections to be held after the 1992 peace accords (16 January 1992).

When I returned to El Salvador in 1996, the façade still had not been finished and the cathedral was still closed.

It was not until 2002 that I finally got to see the entire cathedral, inside and out.

And ever since that trip, I have always returned to the cathedral to take in the environment: the bustle of the city outside, the people coming and going and the peacefulness that comes from spending time by Romero's tomb.

These surely are the most comfortable pews/benches anywhere. The cathedral is cool inside, an oasis on a hot afternoon.

The old tomb still speaks to me far more than the present one (2005), which is triumphalistic.

The people will always prevail... 26 March 2011, the people had covered the tomb with flowers.

People still pray at the former tomb. So do I.

Thus, I also am horrified by the stupidity of what has transpired: 26 December behind a huge white shroud, workers chipped away the façade tiles of Harmony of My People (Armonia de mi pueblo) by Dom Fernando Llort, the artisan behind the revival of the folk art that is commonly known as La Palma, from the town where he makes it, and from his workshop, Semilla de Dios, Seed of God. He spent a year of his life creating this work; it was paid for by donations from the people of El Salvador.

This is why so many people are up in arms that the Roman hierarchy decided to take down the mural with the feeble excuse that the tiles had faded, some of them had come unglued (why then did it take people with chisels to hack them away?) and might fall down on people. The apology consisted of the archbishop saying that he was sorry, he regretted not having consulted with the family and if they wanted, they could have a miniature of the façade in the cathedral.

In an article written by Episcopal communicator, Susana Barrera of the Iglesia Episcopal Anglicana de El Salvador, Bishop Martín Barahona of the same church comments on the recent artistic tragedy:

“Alabo la actitud de Monseñor José Luis Escobar Alas (Arzobispo Católico) de pedir perdón, pero le pido se repare el daño que se ha hecho a la cultura y religiosidad del pueblo salvadoreño”, demandó el Obispo Martin Barahona de la Iglesia Anglicana, quien ha dado seguimiento a los hechos.

"I commend the attitude of Archbishop José Luis Escobar Alas (Catholic Archbishop) for apologizing, but I ask that the damage that has been made to culture and religion of the Salvadoran people be repaired," said Bishop Martin Barahona of the Episcopal Anglican Church of El Salvador, who has followed the events.And more from the same article: “Lamento la situación que se ha dado, no comprendo a mi hermana mayor la Iglesia Católica, con tanta sabiduría y no consultar, no meditar, y cometer una prepotencia de esa naturaleza… definitivamente es una falta de respeto a los seres humanos”, reflexionó Barahona.

“I regret the current situation. I do not understand how my older sister, the Catholic Church — with so much wisdom — it could not have consulted or mediated [this situation] and [instead] committed an arrogant act of this nature. Decidedly, it is a lack of respect for human beings," Barahona reflected.

How long would it take to restore what has been taken down, especially since the hierarchy destroyed the work so that some image of El Salvador, Our Saviour, can be painted there instead?

Instead of this work of art that some lovingly, others less so called, 'The Towel,' because many towels sold are of the same style, this is what remains.

This gringa de corazón salvadoreño joins with the Salvadoran people in lamenting the senseless, arrogant and stupid destruction of a national patrimony that belonged to all the people... of El Salvador in particular and the world in general.

Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.

Proclamation from 24 March

Acta de Proclamación

Nosotros y nosotras, pastores y pastoras del mundo entero, pueblo ROMERISTA de Salvadoreños y Salvadoreñas, hombres y mujers ROMERISTAS de DIVERSOS CONTINENTES DE LA TIERRA, que hemos sidos Congregados en esta plaza CÍVICA, FRENTE A LA CATEDRAL DE MONSENOR ROMERO, EN SUELO SALVADORENO REGADO POR LAGRIMAS Y SANGRE DE MARTIRES. Convocados y convocadas por el Dios de la vida, nuestro Padre y Madre, por Jesús de Nazareth amigo y hermano, el Espíritu Santo que habla por los profetas y por Monseñor Oscar Arnulfo Romero fiel seguidor de Jesús.

Manifestamos al pueble Salvadoreño, a todos los pueblos del mundo y a la iglesia Universal, que RECONOCEMOS en Monseñor Romero:

• Su fidelidad a Dios
• Su opción preferencial, radical y transparente por los pobres
• Su espiritualidad de liberación
• Su testimonio auténtico de pastor y profeta
• Su lucha incansable por la justicia
• Su entrega generosa hasta dar la vida como Jesús por la liberación de su pueblo
• Y la vigencia de su palabra y de su ejemplo.

Por tanto PROCLAMAMOS a:

MONSENOR OSCAR ARNULFO ROMERO,
PASTOR, PROFETA Y MARTIR DE LOS POBRES

Queremos continuar en esta gran caminata por el Reino, de la mano de Monseñor Romero, codo a codo con los más empobrecidos, que son las víctimas inocentes del sistema perverso que proscribe y mata. Sabemos que ellos y ellas son el rostro vivo del Señor que sigue gritando por Justicia.

Mural at Comolapa

Meanwhile, el Presidente de la República Salvadoreña, Mauricio Funes, whom I met in 2004, dedicated a mural at the airport. It is off the beaten track if you fly Delta or American; the people arriving on Taca will walk right by it. Otherwise, you have to backtrack to see it.


Left panel


Middle panel (the violet line to the right is evidence that my five year-old Canon is dying after 3000+ photos, well done faithful servant)


middle and right panel


These shiny gold plaques are impossible to photograph. This one consists of the dedicatory words of el Presidente.

'
This plaque is at the far right, expressing the apology on a state-level for the murder of Oscar Arnulfo Romero.

So, you can catch this coming or going from the airport.

Thirtieth anniversary night

So, while many others went to a mass in the crypt in late afternoon, I did not get plugged back into the 30th-year anniversary events until night-time when we went to the ecumenical acto that took place at the Plaza Cívica, frente a la Catedral Metropolitana. I thought we were going to be way late since we left an hour after we should have and figured there would be lots of people, therefore, traffic, but to my surprise, we were dropped off right in front of the Plaza (a street separates it and the cathedral). This was an acto at which there would be read a proclamation. It was sponsored by the Concertación Monseñor Romero.


The Palacion Nacional lies on one side of the Plaza Cívica. It was hard to tell whether an opposing group or pro group was presenting a film projected on the wall of the Palacio Nacional but whatever, it was really annoying and at one point, the organisers of the acto asked that the volume be turned down and if it wasn't, they would get the police to help. The volume went down for a while but then it went back up again. Very aggravating.


Given that I was one of the participants, I tried to be discrete with my photography. This blurred shot shows the catedral in the background and gives you some sense of the crowd.


I cherish this photo of the bishop in the Vermont stole and the gringa in the Salvadoran stole which went home with me qua gift and recuerdo. This was taken before the acto got going.


The organisers held a contest for paintings and this was one of the entries. I took this as we stood to form a procession. I can't believe how honoured I was to be processing in with Bishop Medardo Gómez of the Iglesia Luterana de El Salvador – a Nobel Peace Prize candidate - Arzobispo Barahona and a whole cast of luminaries whose names I need to track down but who were well know to the crowd — Pablo Richard, I heard a speech by him back in 1993 in NYC, a priest who knew Romero from back when and so forth.


Holding my camera at my waist so as to be discrete, here is a photo of the crowd. In the foreground are some Finnish Lutheran pastors. One of them at least knew the words to some of the songs we sang. I admit to being far more reserved in comportment since I was up on the platform (only woman!!!!) with all these pastors. Otherwise, I also would have been yelling, ¡Qué viva! and such things.


Bishop Gómez read the first part of the proclamation (to come later).


And Bishop Barahona read the second part.

In addition to saying something in the prayers of the people (Bishop Barahona encouraged me to say where I was from), I was appointed to read the benediction which was a quotation from Romero: 'If they kill me, I will rise again in the Salvadoran people.' As I read it, I looked out at the crowd and saw people saying the words with me… si me matan, rescutiraré en el pueblo salvadoreño.'

This is once-in-a-lifetime stuff.

Thirty-year anniversary morning

The thirtieth anniversary of the martyrdom of San Romero de las Américas was marked by many events, sponsored by three main groups: the government, the 'official' Roman group and then a third group, the Concertación de Romero. We attended events sponsored by the last group.

The day started with a mass at the chapel at the Divina Providencia cancer hospital where Romero was assassinated. There would later be a mass in the crypt at the cathedral but I did not get to it. Nor did I get to participate in the procession from Divina Providencia to the cathedral, though I would have greatly enjoyed it (despite the sun!).

We got to Divina Providencia in the Mira Monte part of San Salvador about ten minutes before the service actually got going. There was lots of milling around beforehand.


The crowd grew even after we went inside but there was already a good crowd before the mass began. People were handing out posters which I gladly took.


The idea throughout the week was that I would accompany the bishop, not really as a body guard because I certainly am not trained but as a witness should anything untoward happen and perhaps, because of being a gringa, it might stop someone from doing something. Of course, obviously these concerns never came to bear but they were in our minds.

It came as a surprise, therefore, to find myself walking down the aisle with him, leading off the procession no less!, and then being directed to sit up front to the left of the altar. Bishop Barahona started out next to me but the organisers then invited him to go up with the other luminaries.


These luminaries were each invited to speak. Bishop Barahona was introduced as having survived an assassination attempt. People applauded him for his witness and even more so after he spoke. He spoke with passion about justice and the Anglican Episcopal Church of El Salvador's preferential option for the poor.


[This photo is cribbed from someone's facebook page.] After Bishop Barahona spoke, I could see him talking with the organiser (the man next to me in the photo) and pointing at me. I thought, 'Oh no... I know where this is going and I have prepared nothing ahead of time.' The organiser said he did not even dare to try to say my name and he introduced me as 'hermana.' So I introduced myself as la Revda Canóniga de la Iglesia Episcopal de los Estados Unidos y 16 otros paises and Fundación Cristosal. It was a great honour to be able to speak; only eight of us did.


The chapel got even more full as the service went on. I took this during the introductions when people were still arriving.


People from all around the world (Palestine, Cuba, Chicago, for starters) gave gifts which ended up on the altar. You have to admit, I had an excellent vantage point.


After the mass, people spilled out into the street and got set up for their procession to the cathedral. There were far more people at the end of the mass than at the beginning.


As you can see, hay gente.


And here is a little sabor of what the procession involved.

El Salvador March visit 1

This may end up being a multi-posting to get in the photos and commentary but I'll start off... my trip to El Salvador was so fast, too fast but somewhat assuaged my hunger to be there. The last time I had gone was June 2008 so a trip was long overdue. I have so missed the country, San Salvador and most of all the people. Given the events of the past week, it was all the more important I be there for I accompanied Bishop Barahona everywhere which kept him company when he needed it and opened doors to some neat opportunities.


Monday 22 March, we attended a talk by the dean of UCA on Msr Romero in the crypt of the cathedral. The wheel-like ceiling dates post 2004. Behind the altar (barely visible) lies the new 2005 tomb of San Romero. Bishop Barahona was invited up to the head table where his colleagues of an interfaith group sat.


During an opening prayer by a rabbi, the dean and bishop stood side-by-side.


Like the tomb, this painting has moved hither and yon in the crypt. It now resides in the area where Romero's second tomb resided, the tomb that I knew best and prefer still because it was much more simple and del pueblo.


One unexpected treat, a God-incidence, was meeting the Rev'd Bill Wiffle, priest from Buffalo NY, who worked five years with Romero. He was the very last person to whom Romero gave communion ever. He was at the service at the cathedral, 23 March 1980, and had decided not to receive. He then heard Romero asking him, 'Don't you want communion?' So he partook and then Romero went to the altar to finish the service... his last mass since the one the next day was never completed.


The people were beginning to take over the tomb. By the end of the week, Thursday, the tomb was completely covered by flowers. The only part that remained visible was the bishop's face; otherwise, flowers real and paper covered the bronze. And the wax from melted candles at the head of the tomb, the photographs of Romero behind it, somewhat took away the sterile nature of the tomb (one of my beefs is that the only dates that appear are those of his time as arzobispo).


People had brought photographs, begun to appropriate the tomb to themselves and also prayed there, touching it. The tip of the mitre is burnished as well as the heads of the four women who form the posts of this statue.


As a point of comparison, here is a photo from Co-Latino on Thursday (taken Wednesday). By the time I got to the tomb Thursday afternoon, it was completely covered.

On to part 2.

Reintegration

So, so much to do all the while reintegrating from a whirlwind trip to El Salvador. So here is just one photograph.

Tomorrow is Bishop Barahona's 18th anniversary of consecration. As you pray for his safety and well-being, give thanks for his years of ministry and witness to God's all encompassing love for the poor and the marginalised and for his prophetic voice which he is not afraid to use.

[The photo was taken at the ecumenical event on 24 March at the Plaza Cívica in front of the cathedral where Romero's tomb is. More on that later. The stole he is wearing was made by the children of the congregation I serve.]

¡Presente!

Surely there will be other manifestaciones y actividades like this. Surely... and I will try to participate as I am able. But first I have to get there.

¡Romero vive!

Para reflexionar

Go here for some archival videos of San Romero and El Salvador.

How things can change

El Presidente de la República Federativa de Brasil Luiz Inácio “Lula” Da Silva, acompañado por el Presidente de El Salvador, Mauricio Funes, y el Obispo Auxiliar de San Salvador, Monseñor Gregorio Rosa Chávez, captados ayer, en la cripta de Catedral Metropolitana, frente a la tumba de Monseñor Óscar Arnulfo Romero, donde los mandatarios colocaron una ofrenda floral. Foto Diario Co Latino/Melvin Rivas.

Prior to last year, the President of the Republic of El Salvador would neither have been meeting with the PResident of Brazil, nor take him to the tomb of Msr Óscar Arnulfo Romero to pay homage. What a change.

Cranking up for the 30th anniversary

So next year, El Salvador is going to issue postal stamps with San Romero's image on them. They have launched a contest for submissions. Somehow I don't think this would have happened if the government was still Arenero... having the FMLN in place has certainly changed things.

Monseñor Romero en sellos postales

Enviar a Un Amigo Versión para Imprimir

Zoraya Urbina
Redacción Diario Co Latino

El próximo año se conmemora el Trigésimo aniversario del martirio de Monseñor Óscar Arnulfo Romero, quien fue asesinado el 24 de marzo de 1980.

La Presidencia de la República, a través de la Secretaria de Inclusión Social, el Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores y la Dirección General de Correos convocó a un concurso de pintura para la emisión de estampillas con el tema alusivo a la conmemoración.

El objetivo de esta convocatoria es brindar un homenaje póstumo a Romero, pero sobre todo, reparar moralmente a la sociedad.

El acto de presentación estuvo presidido por la Primera Dama de la República y Secretaria de Inclusión Social, Vanda Pignato; el Canciller y Ministro de Relaciones Exteriores, Hugo Martínez y el Director General de Correos, Marlon Granados Pinto.

"Monseñor Romero, como todos saben es el más alto referente espiritual de El Salvador y también, la principal inspiración ética de mi esposo y mía", dijo Pignato y agregó que era un referente para trabajar en pro de un país con justicia social, paz y respeto a los Derechos Humanos.

La Comisión Interamericana de Derechos Humanos (CIDH) determinó la responsabilidad del Estado Salvadoreño en relación a este asesinato; concluyó por tanto que tiene la obligación de realizar medidas para dignificar el nombre y la memoria del Arzobispo y así contribuir a reparar los daños morales.

En el concurso podrán participar salvadoreños por nacimiento o naturalización, ya sea que residan o no en el país. "Pretendemos que no sólo tenga una repercusión a nivel nacional, sino a nivel internacional motivando la creatividad de nuestros compatriotas que viven en el exterior", dijo Martínez.

Algunas de las técnicas que se pueden usar son : témpera, acuarela o acrílico. La última fecha para recibir los trabajos será el 8 de enero de 2010; la premiación el 15 de enero, en el marco de la Firma de los Acuerdos de Paz. La emisión la realizará el Presidente Mauricio Funes el 19 de marzo.

El Director de Correos explicó que las bases están disponibles en la página web de la institución o en las oficinas administrativas.