News from the Romero Trust

30 years ago this week, when the marksman's single bullet killed Archbishop Oscar Romero as he stood at the altar, champagne was opened in celebration by those who has organised the assassination. The "Romero" story was now over and done with. The "troublesome priest" was dealt with and life could go on.

30 years on this brutal act is being remembered around the world and in Britain events are happening up and down the land involving some of the foremost Church leaders from across the different Christian denominations.

On Saturday 20th March 2010 "Romero Week" opened with an ecumenical service held in York Minster. The service, attended by over 500 participants, was coordinated by the Archbishop Romero Trust.

The service was attended by the Ambassador of El Salvador to the Court of St. James, His Excellency Werner Romero, whose father worked as a journalist with Monseñor.


Before the service began, participants were welcomed by the Dean of York, Very Rev. Keith Jones. The Dean and Chapter of the Minster took part in the service. The presider was His Eminence Cardinal Keith O'Brien, Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh. He and the Archbishop of York, who preached, are among the patrons of the Archbishop Romero Trust.

The Prior of the York community of Carmelite Friars, Fr. Tony Lester, O.Carm., a trustee of the Archbishop Romero Trust, welcomed the congregation on behalf of the Trust and outlined the life, death and legacy of Monsenor Romero.

Images of Oscar Romero were projected onto a large screen
as Fr. Tony sketched out the Archbishop's life.

A litany of sorrow was led by the Roman Catholic Bishop of Hallam, Rt. Rev. John Rawsthorne. This was followed by readings from the Old Testament (by the Quaker Chaplain to the University of York) and one of Oscar Romero's Sunday homilies (by a Middlesbrough Diocesan CAFOD worker).

Celia Harris, Quaker Chaplain to the University of York, reading from Isaiah.

The Gospel was proclaimed by Rev. David Gamble, President of the Methodist Conference.

Rev. David Gamble proclaiming the Gospel.

The homily was preached by the Archbishop of York, Dr. John Sentamu. The Archbishop spoke of his own visit to El Salvador just weeks after the assassination of Monseñor Romero. He described Romero as truly a saint who let the light of God shine through him.

Dr. John Sentamu preaching.

A litany of commitment was then led by Rt. Rev. Terence Drainey, Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Middlesbrough in whose Diocese the service took place.

Bishop Terence Drainey of Middlesbrough.

The Lord's Prayer and Sign of Peace were introduced by Sr. Mary Walmsley, superior of the Bar Convent community of the Congregation of Jesus.

Sr. Mary Walmsley, C.J.

Procession to the West Doors.

Participants in the service at the West Doors of York Minster.