From Fr John Dear in the National Catholic reporter: Dec. 2 marks the thirtieth anniversary of the abduction, rape and killing of four U.S. churchwomen in El Salvador -- Maryknoll Srs. Ita Ford and Maura Clarke, Ursuline Sr. Dorothy Kazel, and Maryknoll lay missioner Jean Donovan.
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So much has happened in the thirty years since -- beginning with the deaths of millions and millions of more poor people around the planet, the ongoing warmaking of the United States, and the ongoing collapse of the institutional church.
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As we remember these great churchwomen and do what we can for justice and peace, I think...our lives too will be filled with meaning.
30 years already? It doesn't seem that long ago that I heard the horrifying news. Please read Fr John's entire column in the NCR.
Almighty God, you called your servants Ita, Maura, Dorothy, and Jean to be voices for the voiceless poor, and to give their lives as a seed of freedom and a sign of hope in El Salvador: Grant that, inspired by their sacrifice and their example, we may without fear or favor witness to your Word who abides, your Word who is Life, even Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be praise and glory now and for ever. Amen.
(Adapted from the prayer for the feast day of Roman Catholic Archbishop Oscar Romero, of El Salvador, whom the Episcopal Church commemorates on March 24. This past March was the 30th anniversary of the assassination of Archbishop Romero as he celebrated the Eucharist.)
Thanks to Rmj at Adventus for the reminder of the anniversary.
Image from A Nun's Life.
Oh my goodness! I had never heard of this tragedy. How utterly sad that such brave and wonderful women were brutally victimised. I shall remember them in my prayers tonight.
ReplyDeleteChelliah, last month was the 21st anniversary of the killing of 8 Jesuit priests, and their housekeeper and her daughter in El Salvador. I forgot to note that anniversary. I try to remember Abp. Romero's feast day, too. There were many martyrs from amongst those who took up the cause of justice for the poor and the powerless in El Salvador.
ReplyDeleteThere was so much tragic news from El Salvador in those days. Martyred saints aplenty. May their intercessions help us continue in the struggle for a just world.
ReplyDeleteRemember this line?
ReplyDelete"If charged with being a Christian, could you offer proof that you were?"
These women could, and DID. All Holy Martyrs of El Salvador, PRAY for us!
JCF, I remember the line. I've thought about it, and I don't know the answer.
ReplyDeletePrayers ascending!
ReplyDeleteI remember seeing a TV movie made about Jean Donovan (drama, not documentary---I want to say that the girl. Don't remember the name, but I bet Google (YouTube?) could find it...
ReplyDelete[Did Google/IMDB it!]
Here it is: (I'd read the well-written critique, though) Choices of the Heart. Maybe not so surprising, that politics was soft-sold. It was made *only 3 years* after the events . . . and REAGAN was President! (i.e., U.S. policy in El Salvador had gone from Bad to WORSE. Lawd, I remember those Terrible Days, fighting against U.S. policy in Central America...)
Ooops that was supposed to say "I want to say that the girl from Little House on the Prairie was the star." And she was. Melissa Gilbert.
ReplyDeleteJCF, thank you for the information on the TV movie. Very interesting. Those were terrible times.
ReplyDelete