everyone is happy with their religious and political beliefs that are matters of faith, not reason. But to the extent possible, vote for what we believe or stop believing is based or at least lean on the knowledge of certain facts. Soon
John Paul II beatified and likely will not be long before his canonization. Meanwhile, the cause Monsignor Romero will literally "sleeping the sleep of the righteous" with the excuse of inconvenience for political reasons.
to illuminate some of this debate, then transcribe the testimony of María López Vigil on the first meeting between Archbishop Romero and John Paul II, published in "Parts for a portrait" (UCA Editores, San Salvador, 1993, pages 282 - 285). The book I have in my hand and I have no reason to doubt what embodied therein.
With this, I claim my free thought.
* * *
- Compréndame, I need to have an audience with the Pope ...
- Understand you have wait your turn, like everyone else. Vatican
Another door is closing in his face. From San Salvador and the time needed to overcome the obstacles of bureaucracy Church, Monsignor Romero had requested a personal audience with Pope John Paul II. And he traveled to Rome with the assurance that everything would get fixed. Now, all precautions seem to vanish like smoke. Tell curiales know nothing of that order. And he is begging the audience for offices and offices.
- No way, "he tells another," I wrote some time ago and there has to be my letter ...
- The Italian post is a disaster!
- But I sent my letter in hand ...
Another door closed. And the next day another. The curial not want you to meet with the Pope. And time in Rome, where he has been invited by some nuns who celebrated the beatification of its founder, is running out. Can not return to San Salvador without seeing the Pope, without having told him everything that is happening there.
- I'll keep begging the audience, are encouraged Monsignor Romero.
is Sunday. After Mass, the Pope down to the big room where you expect superlative capacity crowds in the traditional general audience. Monsignor Romero has to get up early to show off. And when the Pope passes saluting him grab the hand and not let go.
- Holy Father, "he complains to the authority of the beggars," I am the Archbishop of San Salvador and I beg you to grant me an audience.
Pope nods. He has finally achieved: the next day will be. It is the first time the Archbishop of San Salvador will meet with the pope Karol Wojtyla, which is just half a year ago the Supreme Pontiff. Brings carefully selected reports everything that is happening in El Salvador for the Pope's knowledge. And since they spend so many things, reports bulge. Romero brings kept in a box and are shown to the Pope no longer eager to start the interview.
- Holy Father, can you read here how the whole smear campaign against the Church and against a server are organized from the same Casa Presidencial.
plays a role not the Pope. Neither touches the briefcase. Neither question anything. Only complaint.
- I have already said they do not come loaded with so many papers! We do not have time to be reading much else.
Romero shakes, but try to fit the beat. And it fits: there must be a misunderstanding. In a separate envelope, has also led him to the Pope a picture of Octavio Ortiz, the priest killed the Guard a few months ago with four young. The picture is a frame on top of the face of Octavio dead. In the face crushed by armored fade Indian features and the blood further blurs. Tell it a cut made in the neck with a machete.
- I knew him very well Octavio, Holy Father, and was a full priest. I ordered it and knew all the work that went. The day he was giving a course of gospel to the kids in the neighborhood ...
He tells everything in detail. His version of the Archbishop and the version spread by the government.
- See how your face apache you, Holy Father. The Pope stares at the photo and no more question. Look after the dim eyes of Archbishop Romero and move your hand back as if to remove the blood drama related.
- So what we are cruelly killed, saying he was a guerrilla ... -Archbishop remembers.
- And perhaps it was not? Cold, "replies the Pope.
Romero keeps the photo that much compassion expected. Something shakes the hand must be a misunderstanding. Following the hearing. Sitting opposite each other, the Pope turns to a single idea.
- You, Lord Archbishop, must strive for a better relationship with the government of his country.
Romero hears and mind flies to El Salvador recalling what his government does to the people of his country. The Pope's voice takes you back to reality.
- A Harmony between you and the Salvadoran government is as Christian in these times of crisis. Keep listening
Mgr. Are arguments that have already been shot through in the past by other authorities of the Church.
- If you overcome your differences with the government will work for peace Christian. Both
Pope insists that the Archbishop decided to stop listening and asking to be heard. Talk shy but confident:
- But, Holy Father, Christ in the gospel told us that he had not come to bring peace but a sword.
Pope sticks his steely eyes on Romero:
- Do not exaggerate, Archbishop! And
run out of arguments and also the audience. This
Romero told me almost in tears the day May 11, 1979, in Madrid, he returned hastily to his country, shocked by news of a massacre at the Cathedral of San Salvador. María López Vigil
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