Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
San Salvador (Agenzia Fides) – As part of the celebrations for the 30th anniversary of the murder of Archbishop Oscar Arnulfo Romero, the Federal Post Office of El Salvador has promoted a special issue of stamps in honor of the Archbishop murdered March 24, 1980 in Divine Providence Church in the Salvadoran capital. According to information received by Fides, December 11, 2009, the Post Office in El Salvador launched a painting competition for children on "The 30th Anniversary of the Martyrdom of Archbishop Oscar Arnulfo Romero," indicating that the release of the stamps would include a folder with 6 winning pieces, an envelope, and a brochure on the topic. The local press says there has been an issue of 120,000 stamps. The winners of this contest were: Victor Hugo Rivas Escobar, Carlos Alberto Lopez, Sonia Isabel Martínez, Hugo Martínez Acuña, Moris Danilo Aldana, and Oscar Galileo Ramos Mejía. The winners have gave permission to the Government of El Salvador to use their pieces for a period of 10 years, during which the government may use the works for the issuance of stamps, exhibitions, prints, and other activities.
Fides sources in San Salvador report that members of the "Archbishop Romero Coalition" asked the President Mauricio Funes to promote the repeal of amnesty for the case of the Archbishops' murder, which occurred 30 years ago. "The amnesty law is an obstacle to research and should be revoked, at least in this case," said Jorge Alberto Ramirez. "The president could send this request to the Legislative Assembly and Members could vote on this legislative initiative. It is a question of wanting to or not," said Jorge Avalos. Furthermore, the organization asked the government to hold an official ceremony to ask forgiveness for the death of Archbishop Romero in front of the Metropolitan Cathedral, the presence of the family of the Archbishop, and members of the diocesan community. (CE) (Agenzia Fides 20/03/2010)
