"Wow" and "Peace and Wonderment" Among Reactions to Day 1 of Delegation Commemorating 4 US Churchwomen

A group of delegates at the luncheon

After arriving in El Salvador yesterday, the 46 delegates accompanying SHARE in commemorating the 30th Anniversary of the assassinations of 4 US Churchwomen began their journey today.


First on the agenda was a visit to the house of Archbishop Oscar Romero and the chapel where he was assassinated just nine months before the Churchwomen were also killed. It was an emotional visit for many of the delegates. When asked for her reaction, Sister Donna Wilhelm's short response was "how 'bout, wow." Diane Madden, on the other hand, felt "just peace and wonderment in God's plan and what it's all about, this thing we call life."

 Director of SHARE's El Salvador office
addresses the delegation

After attending an afternoon forum sponsored by ORMUSA (Organization of Salvadoran Women for Peace), Joan Reidy from Pax Christi was struck by the importance of forming coalitions and not giving up.  While referencing an important piece of labor legislation that took six years for a Salvadoran advocacy group to pass, Joan said, "Six years is a long time to work on something.  I think it was an honor this [forum] was put on for us.  I think this is something we need to work on at home also."


Come back tomorrow. We'll be posting reflections and photos throughout the week.

It's not too late to plan an event to commemorate the Four US Churchwomen in your community. Check out the Celebration Guide on our website for ideas. 


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