Holy Cross Remembers the Anniversary of the El Salvador Martyrdom

James B. Nickoloff, professor emeritus of religious studies at the College of the Holy Cross, will present “Twenty Years Later: A Reflection on Holy Cross in Light of the University of Central America Martyrs” on Monday, Nov. 16 at 7:30 p.m. in Rehm Library. The talk is part of Jesuit Heritage 2009, which offers opportunities for the Holy Cross community to reflect on what martyrdom means—20 years after the murders in El Salvador of six Jesuits, their housekeeper and her daughter. The talk, which is free and open to the public, will be followed by a candlelight prayer service on Martyrs Plaza (at the entrance of St. Joseph Memorial Chapel).

On Nov. 16, 1989 armed men rushed into the Jesuit residence at the University of Central America in San Salvador and shot six Jesuit priests, the community’s cook and her daughter. The Jesuits were murdered in response to their firm defense of the poor and the oppressed. Their murders were part of a decade-long civil war that provoked outrage around the world. Nickoloff will address the meaning of the Jesuits’ death at the University of Central America and its significance for Jesuit colleges and universities today. He will be concentrating on a central feature of the Jesuits’ work, the relationship between intellectual work and social justice. Nickoloff will look at the name “Holy Cross” through the lens of the El Salvador martyrdom and will conclude with an overview of the discipleship practiced by the Jesuits.

In addition to Nickoloff’s lecture, the BBC Documentary film, Killing Priests Is Good News will be shown at 4 p.m. in the Rehm Library. The film includes commentary from members of the church community about those who were murdered in El Salvador for their denunciation of the government and their support for the poor. The shocking title is derived from Archbishop Romero’s statement after the first priest was killed in El Salvador in 1977. Romero meant that the priest’s murder confirmed the church’s position of solidarity with those fighting for justice in El Salvador.