THE
P RTAL
September 2017
Page 20
Aid to the Church in Need
Honouring the
memory of El
Salvador’s martyrs
Some moving and inspirational accounts by Murcadha O Flaherty
I n El Salvador
a number of heroic witnesses have made the ultimate sacrifice for Christ. One
powerful instance of the suffering endured is the story of Noé Arsenio Portillo López. The 22-year-old
catechist was kidnapped as he left Mass together with his mother. He was tortured for three days. The account
of his killing states: “The various extremities were severed from his body one after the other before he finally
was decapitated.”
To ensure their memory is not forgotten –
and to inspire others with their stories – these
martyrs are remembered in Witnesses of the
Gospel, a series of 14 volumes (one book for
each province in El Salvador) detailing more
than 800 testimonies.
Aid to the Church in Need, the Catholic
charity for persecuted and other suffering
Christians, is supporting this project which
serves as a witness to the truth of the violence
suffered by the faithful in the country. The charity
interviewed Franciscan Fr Tomás Ciaran Ó Nuanain,
an Irish missionary, about the Catholic martyrs killed
during the Salvadoran Civil War.
Ana Leticia Henriquez (researcher) and Martha Figueroa (editor)
and protect his flock, remaining faithful to the Gospel
and in communion with the whole Church.”
Fr Ó Nuanain described how polarised and frightened
society was in El Salvador. He said, “A strong minority
Speaking of the suffering Church’s numerous martyrs supported Bishop Romero and his fight for the rights
from the Latin American country, Fr Ó Nuanain of farmers. A further strong minority was against this.
described the collection as “our efforts to look back on The others did not take a clear stance. It was dangerous
and reappraise the past… to pay tribute to and honour to support the farmers and the clergy were completely
divided. It was very sad because many politicised
the martyrs.”
the Gospel.” He added, “But all of us who fought for
Blessed Archbishop Óscar Romero is the best known the dignity of the most needy were threatened and
martyr from El Salvador. He was shot dead while persecuted. I just did not want to be tortured before
celebrating Holy Mass in 1980. Prior to his death, he I died.”
spoke of the positive challenges in Christianity. He
Speaking about the charity’s support for the project
said, “I don’t want to be an anti, against anybody. I
simply want to be the builder of a great affirmation: remembering the martyrs in El Salvador, Marco
the affirmation of God, who loves us and who wants Mencaglia, ACN’s Latin America Project Coordinator,
said, “We would like to promote a real peace… bearing
to save us.”
witness for these thousands of believers continues
Pope Francis referred to the blessed martyr’s to be much stronger and more impressive than the
dedication to helping the poor during his beatification terrible violence they suffered.”
on 23th May 2015. According to the Holy Father:
Aid to the Church in Need - www.acnuk.org
“Bishop Romero paid particular attention to the most
contact: [email protected] or call 020 8642 8668
poor and marginalised. He knew how to lead, defend