Blessed are those who hunger for justice
What you need to know:
- Initially appointed for his conservative views, the prelate had a major conversion when his priest Rutilo Grande was gunned down in 1977.
- The military regime of the tiny Central American state was backed by the US administration who enlisted them as partners in fighting ‘communists’ in the cold war.
- The Brazilian ‘bishop of the slums’ from Recife is best known for his comment that “when I give food to the poor, they call me a saint; when I ask why the poor have no food, they call me a communist.”
All roads lead to Nyeri on Saturday for the beatification of Sr Irene Stefani. Her story of courage, service and devotion to the poorest is an inspiration to millions.
Another beatification takes place 14,000km away today in El Salvador, that of Archbishop Oscar Romero. The prelate who was gunned down by militia as he said mass in his cathedral on March 24, 1980 is a story probably better known globally than that of Sr Irene.
Oscar Romero was a reluctant advocate of human rights. Initially appointed for his conservative views, the prelate had a major conversion when his priest Rutilo Grande was gunned down in 1977. The military regime of the tiny Central American state was backed by the US administration who enlisted them as partners in fighting ‘communists’ in the cold war.
Romero became an outspoken defender of the poor and victims of human rights violations and boldly stated: “When we struggle for human rights, freedom, dignity … we are not departing from God’s promise.” He insisted that the church must suffer for speaking the truth and pointing out sin. He himself paid the ultimate price for his faith and convictions. Over 200,000 turned up for his funeral but no one was ever arrested for his murder.
Latin America Christians immediately regarded him a martyr and a saint but his cause for official sainthood languished in the Vatican for decades due mainly to accusations that he supported liberation theology and that murder for defending human rights did not quite merit to be deemed martyrdom. However, with the election of Pope Francis, Romero’s cause was fast tracked, his file recovered and earlier this year he was announced among those who would be beatified.
The cause of Dom Helder Camara has also resurfaced. The Brazilian ‘bishop of the slums’ from Recife is best known for his comment that “when I give food to the poor, they call me a saint; when I ask why the poor have no food, they call me a communist.”
Pope Francis has certainly raised the profile of social justice religious and that brings hope that the cause of another extraordinary woman might receive attention. Annalena Tonelli may not be a household name everywhere in Kenya but to the people of Wajir she is a saint and heroine.
The Italian lawyer and nurse not only tended to the victims of the Wagalla Massacre along with Mohamed Elmi, she broke the story to the world of the slaughter of up to 5,000. It was no surprise when the Moi administration first arrested her and later refused to renew her work permit. She relocated to Somalia where she was killed by an assassin in 2003.
So, today as the Kenyan church honours Irene Stefani, many will recall Annalena Tonelli, John Kaiser and many more who gave their lives for the poor and for justice.
Of course, it will not go unnoticed that today’s ceremony will take place at Dedan Kimathi University.
The liberation hero was baptised before he went to the firing squad, but his life’s legacy today inspires thousands who seek freedom, equality and land justice. But that is a story for another day.
[email protected] @GabrielDolan1
