Jesuits Mark Anniversary of 1989 Massacre
Submitted by Ron Leonhardt
(Edited from the November 17 blog “El Salvador Perspectives” (Tim Muth))
November 16 marked the 36th anniversary of the massacre at the University of Central America (UCA) in El Salvador when Salvadoran soldiers assassinated six Jesuit priests, their housekeeper and her daughter. It was an attack on voices which had consistently denounced human rights abuses and sought peace and justice for the oppressed of El Salvador.
The anniversary comes during the 4th year of the State of Exception in El Salvador in which thousands have been imprisoned without trial and without guarantees of due process. Allegations of torture have been made by victims and their families. Notwithstanding, the Jesuits of the UCA continue to speak with faithful consistency about what justice and human rights demand in El Salvador.
Groups seeking justice were drawn to the commemoration of the massacre, walking in a chain of solidarity going back 36 years and more. The sermon at the commemoration mass was delivered by the UCA rector, Mario Cornejo. He noted the thousands of complaints of human rights violations received by the UCA and repeated their commitment to stand with the most vulnerable in society.
The criminal case in a Salvadoran court against those accused of ordering and covering up the massacre remains stalled.