SHARE's Programs

Happy Spring! We are back from El Salvador . Twenty-five years later, Romero’s people and thousands of international delegates were together in the streets of San Salvador on April 1 st, marching and raising our voices against the injustice and poverty still rooted in El Salvador . The SHARE delegation was comprised of 140 individuals, including religious leaders, youth, Salvadoran Americans and activists.

We see Romero in the faces of the campesin@s, the maquila worker, youth and immigrants. We see Romero in the faces of each other. Romero’s living legacy gives us hope and challenges us to continue to put our faith into action -- to struggle against the structural violence that keep people poor and marginalized.

In the following article Faye Butler, a long-time friend and supporter of SHARE, writes about her experience in El Salvador during the Romero delegation

Photo: University Lutheran Chapel from Berkeley, CA and Christ the King Catholic Church from Pleasant Hill, CA sistering groups (including Faye Butler) with the community in San Vicente during SHARE’s Romero Delegation.

Reflection on the 25 th Anniversary celebration of Archbishop Romero

by Faye Butler

Twelve years ago, I went to El Salvador with a small SHARE delegation, headed by Sister Anne Carrabino, and it changed my life forever. I had worked with the homeless and had certainly had occasion to see poverty. But never had I been so immersed in stories of such pain and suffering that my heart felt literally broken. As Father Dean Brackley, SJ said when he spoke to us on April 1st, 2005 at Divina Providencia in San Salvador , "Our hearts get broken and we fall in love." That is exactly what happened to us in 1993. It was beyond our comprehension that humans could do such terrible things to other human beings. We listened to the stories in each community that we visited. They were not looking for our sympathy but rather our help to take their stories back to the United States so that these atrocities could never happen again. Archbishop Romero's words came to mind. "You are God's microphone,"

As I reflected on what I had heard and experienced, I became aware that I was meeting God in each of the communities that we visited. Experiencing God in the people is something very profound.

That is why, at the age of 75, I felt that I must return to El Salvador while I was still physically able to do so. I needed to walk with the people once again. Archbishop Romero's 25th Anniversary seemed a perfect time. He has indeed risen in the people.

Crucifixion and Resurrection!! Wherever we went we found evidence of this. In the little community of El Porvenir where 35 families reside we heard stories of continued terror and oppression. Three families on three separate occasions had their doors forced open by police. Guns were pointed at them, the husbands pushed to the floor and held while their homes were ransacked. The children were terrorized, unable to sleep for weeks. Not long after that an entire family of three was assassinated.

A few weeks before we arrived, Francisco, president of CRIPDES- San Vicente, was awakened at 2am by police who had surrounded his house and were pounding on his door. When he opened it, their guns were trained on him, and he was told that he was under arrest on charges that were completely false. He was taken to jail and held until members of CRIPDES and others from his community arrived and demanded his release. The power of solidarity!

Francisco told us that they believe that all of these actions are part of a political plan to destabilize the communities and gain their property for use as a resort. However, rather than allow themselves to be intimidated, the members of Francisco's community are more determined than ever that CRIPDES will continue to work at all levels to ensure that their dreams are fulfilled. One of the women said, " When a project takes a long time, it becomes a cathedral."

As we said goodbye to the communities of San Vincente that we visited, a quote that is repeated often in peace and justice work came to my mind. "The seed never gets to see the flower". It reminds us not to look for results but rather to know that God is working through us even though we may never see the fruit of our labor. However, as I heard the accomplishments of these amazing people, I saw a beautiful garden of flowers. I felt blessed to be with them.

Later in the week, we visited Asuchillo, a community that our SHARE delegation visited in 1993. At that time it had only been established a little over a year. I shall never forget their little chapel where we were invited to have lunch that they had prepared for us. They had placed a table at the foot of the altar, which seemed a very fitting place. I remember sharing with my friends the thought that this is Eucharist at its most meaningful!

In the late afternoon, we celebrated a Liturgy of the Word with the people of the community. It was very moving. The gospel that day was Matthew 25: 31-46. I will never again hear that gospel without being reminded of the deacon's homily. He applied Christ's words of feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick to our being present with them. To know how little they had and how much they were able to give to us was both humbling and inspiring.

The chapel had been destroyed in an earthquake but the deacon, to my delight, was still there. A new chapel had been built along with so many other improvements that it was hard to recognize Asuchillo as the same community. These changes are a wonderful testimony to SHARE and to the value of sister communities. Christ the King, Pleasant Hill , CA., the group with whom I came to El Salvador , is one of the parishes that has sistered Asuchillo for many years. In Auschillo, and the other communities that welcomed us, I was struck once again by the strength and the faith of the people, particularly the women. As Francisco told us, there cannot be true development without the women, both in the communities and in the country.

It was hard to say goodbye to these remarkable Resurection people. However, it was time to return to San Salvador to make preparations for the 5pm mass honoring Archbishop Romero. It was to be followed by a candlelight march to the cathedral. The SHARE delegation was bussed to the Plaza Salvador del Mundo where we gathered with thousands of people from all over the world who had come to honor Archbishop Romero. The highlight for me though was gathering also with thousands of Salvadorans. It was a joy to be with them as they celebrated their saint. I do not speak Spanish so I missed much of what was said, but I could feel their joy and mine as we stood together, prayed together and sang together.

Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiago of Honduras was to have presided at the mass but was called to Rome because of the death of Pope John Paul II. However, his homily was read and was received with much applause. But for me the most moving part of the liturgy was the offertory. People from various parts of the world brought gifts from their countries to honor Archbishop Romero. I was particularly moved by the giant Salvadoran cross with flags from many countries inserted around the edges.

I was anxious to buy a newspaper the next day so that I could take it home and have it read to me and also share it with others. However, I was amazed to discover that not one word was printed about the celebration. When I questioned this, a SHARE staff person told me that the newspapers were owned by Tony Saca, President of El Salvador and head of the Arena party. That was an indication to me of who continues to control the country, even though Archbishop Romero's life and death have changed the way that many think about politics, authority and faith. So, oppression and violence continue in spite of the giant strides that the poor of El Salvador have made. Currently, acts reminiscent of the death squads are becoming more frequent. And yet, the poor of El Salvador continue their struggle to rise above this. Crucifixion and Resurection!

All of these experiences brought home to me the importance of internationals continuing to walk with the Salvadoran people. Those who are unable to go to El Salvador , can join in the journey in a variety of ways. Certainly funding is very important but remaining alert to the conditions and becoming "God's Microphones" is essential. Father Jon Sobrino asks the question, "How can you be a human being on this planet today if the growing oppression and poverty is not your central issue?"

People of faith must be in solidarity with the victims of our world. Therein lies our resurrection, as we become a part of their crucifixion.