Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
San Salvador (Agenzia Fides) – Hundreds of young people gathered from the early hours of Saturday, March 20 in front of the Metropolitan Cathedral of San Salvador to celebrate the First National Youth Day dedicated to Archbishop Oscar A. Romero, with the theme being the commemoration of the 30th anniversary of his assassination.
According to information sent to Fides by a young man who participated in the event, young people came from all over the country. "Archbishop Romero is a model for all young people in his total dedication to the cause of Christ, with his struggle for human dignity," said Father Hector Bernabé, parish priest of San Nicolas Lempa, and Secretary of the Youth Missionary Ministry of the Diocese of Zacatecoluca.
Young people carried banners and T-shirts with a picture of Archbishop Romero, and a voice shouting "Viva San Romero de America!" Before their arrival in the Cathedral, they marched starting from different areas of the capital. "The figure of Archbishop Romero, unfortunately, is also used by a political party, when in fact he was the voice of the most vulnerable, without a flag or party," said Ernesto Ticas, a young Catholic from the Diocese of San Vicente.
The march of youth ended with Mass at the Cathedral, led by Cardinal Rodolfo Quezada Toruño Guatemalan Archbishop of Guatemala. "The Legacy of Monsignor Romero goes beyond the borders of El Salvador, his words still resound today," the Cardinal said in his homily, in which he also emphasized the role of Archbishop Romero for the construction of democracy in the country. Recently, the Legislature approved a decree declaring March 24 "Archbishop Romero Day.” (see Fides 12/03/2010) The Archbishop was assassinated while celebrating the Eucharist at the Hospital of Divine Providence in San Salvador. (CE) (Agenzia Fides 22/03/2010)
