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In 2005, we commemorate the 25th Anniversary of Romero's Martyrdom. Please join this special tour, March 28-April 3, to mark this special occasion and see how Romero continues to live in the hearts of the Salvadoran people. Activities will include:
Costs: $800 per person (this does not include airfare) Flights: Delegates are responsible for booking their own flights. Please book your flight to arrive on March 28th and depart on April 3. Deadlines: Space may be limited. Please contact us as soon as possible to reserve a space. Itinerary:
Click here for a detailed itinerary.
(To view the itinerary, you may need to install Adobe Acrobat Reader
by clicking here --> For more information,
or to sign up, contact Sean Hale: What does the $800 cost include? Your cost includes all ground transportation, accommodations, food, interpreters, an emergency vehicle at night (just in case), and logistics. It does not include snacks, alcoholic beverages, souvenirs, or your flight.
Who was Oscar Romero? When Rome chose Oscar Arnulfo Romero to replace the liberal Archbishop Chávez as the head of the Catholic Church in El Salvador 1977, they expected him to be politically conservative and to stay out of political matters. However, soon after his ordination, a close friend of his and well-known peasant activist, Father Rutilio Grande, was gunned down. The government refused to investigate. This incident, and his growing awareness of the violence committed by the army against the poor, brought about a change of heart in Romero. He became an advocate of the poor, and encouraged them to resist their continuing exploitation by the country's elite. He spoke out against the Army's violence and human rights abuses. His sermons, at their height, were listened to by an estimated 75% of the country's population! He had won the poor's support and trust. The right wing was increasingly threatened by him, and so threatened him with violence. The army did not tolerate this powerful, outspoken challenge for long. On March 24, 1980, they shot Romero in the middle of mass. More than 100,000 mourners attended his funeral. Army snipers fired on the crowd, killing dozens of people. Following these tragedies, many who had remained uncertain realized that peaceful change was impossible. They took up arms against the government and army, beginning the full-scale civil war. Today, Romero is the unofficial patron saint of El Salvador. He continues to inspire millions around the world through his example. For more information about Romero,
click here.
Why won't the tour be in El Salvador on the exact anniversary date? Monsignor Romero was assassinated on March 24, 1980. In 2005, the anniversary falls during Holy Week. So, the national commemoration activities have been scheduled for the following week.
How can I create awareness of Romero in my community? Many people organize local viewings of the movie Romero starring Raul Julia. You can rent this movie from most video outlets. It tells a moving story with many opportunities for rich discussion. You can download a discussion guide to the movie by clicking here. Your event can be a small gathering of family and friends at your house, or a larger public event at a local church, synagogue, school, or community center. The Romero Memorial Tree Project is another great excuse to build community awareness, have an event, and contact the press. For more information on the project and to get started, click here. |
