Martyrs who represented the Church in against injustice and intimidation where praised at this year’s services and talks around the UK to commemorate the 44th anniversary of the martyrdom of St Oscar Romero of El Salvador.
Many services were addressed by Dr Raymond Perrier, director of Denis Hurley Centre in Durban, South Africa, which is marking its tenth anniversary. They took the theme, “Prayerful and Prophetic Resilience in the Face of Injustice – Archbishops Oscar Romero and Denis Hurley”.
At the annual ecumenical service in St Martin-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Square, last Saturday, Dr Perrier drew parallels between the two inspirational Church leaders. He highlighted that Archbishop Oscar Romero of San Salvador was assassinated in 1980 by a right-wing death squad after using his platform to speak out against human rights violations and calling for a civilisation of love based on justice and peace.
Archbishop Denis Hurley of Durban, who died in 2004, was described as an outspoken critic of South African policies during the Apartheid era. Both connected with the lives of communities suffering structural injustice and violence, “representing the Church in the face of political intimidation”. Dr Perrier, who also spoke at events in Exeter, Glasgow and Leeds, asked: “Do we have a true social apostolate today?”
Organised by the Archbishop Romero Trust, around 150 people attended the London service in person and online, including representatives of Pax Christi, Cafod, Sisters of St Joseph of Peace, Passionists, Columbans, Carmelites and Westminster Justice and Peace. Romero Trust co-chair Julian Filochowski led the lighting of candles around a bust of St Oscar Romero.
Dr Perrier said: “By walking alongside their people, these bishops learnt about the exclusions, oppression and violence that was happening in their countries and that so many other leaders, political and religious, chose to ignore. They thus both became icons in the struggle against injustice having the courage to use the platform they had to speak out in a divided society. And what they said was often not what people wanted to hear. Of course, that deafness is still true today.”
Revd Richard Carter of St Martin-in-the-Fields said, “The poverty of our own nation is all around us here in Trafalgar Square as we see homeless people on our streets.” He said that both Archbishops Romero and Hurley saw their mission as bringing good news to the poor and they can inspire mission today.
Bidding prayers celebrated “the memory of St Oscar Romero, prophet of peace and reconciliation, and Archbishop Denis Hurley, pastor for justice”. People prayed “that our words may be embodied in action for justice, and that violence may be transformed by love”. The peoples of Gaza, Palestine, Israel, Ukraine, Yemen and Sudan were particularly remembered during prayers for peace.