March 28, 2022
Dear friends,
March 24 was the anniversary of the assassination of Monsignor Oscar Romero. He was killed on that day in 1980 as he was saying mass. Just over 3 years ago, he was canonised. As the Columban Justice and Peace coordinator in Fiji at the time, I wrote a brief story on the life of Oscar Romero. Since that time he has loomed large over the lives of Columbans around the world since we maintain a strong commitment to speaking up on behalf of the poor and oppressed.
He was an outspoken critic of the military government that ruthlessly governed his country of El Salvador. Many people through El Salvador listened to his weekly radio broadcasts. Then on this day in 1980, he was celebrating mass at the Divine Providence Hospital. As he finished his homily he went to stand at the centre of the altar. At that moment, a car stopped in front of the chapel, a gunman got out, entered the chapel and shot Monsignor Oscar Romero. His funeral took place a week later, on March 30 and 250,000 people gathered in front of the cathedral. During the ceremony, smoke bombs were thrown and snipers killed over 30 people.
Monsignor Oscar Romero
As I pay tribute to the memory of Oscar Romero, I acknowledge so many Columbans who have dedicated their lives to service of the Gospel. I remember two whose anniversaries also occur on the same day.
One is Australian Fr Philip Crosbie. After ordination he was assigned to Korea in 1940. Only a year later he was imprisoned by the Japanese and then repatriated back to Australia. He returned to Korea in 1947 and was captured by the North Koreans in 1950. He wrote an account of his experience of the Death March during which many U.S. soldiers died. As a class prize, I received a copy of his book – “Pencilling Prisoner” - during my high school years at St John’s, Hastings. It was the first time I heard of the Columbans. Fr Philip was eventually released and after recuperation he returned to spend many more years in South Korea.
Rembering Philip Crosbie
Another Columban whose anniversary occurs on this day is Thomas Ryan. He was an Irish priest who was ordained for a diocese of Kansas city. There he joined the Columbans and went to China in 1922. He was captured by bandits in 1927. They beat him up and took some of his clothes. Then, in 1937, he was returning back to his presbytery after Holy Week ceremonies when he suddenly collapsed by the side of the road and died of exhaustion.
We continue to live up to the call to mission, to give of our lives in service of the Gospel, in diverse ways and in many countries around the world. But we depend very much upon the prayers and the support of many people like yourselves. You are very much part of our mission. Thank you for your continued support and I trust that God blesses and guides you as we journey through this season of Lent.
Tom Rouse - Columban Mission, Lower Hutt
March 28, 2022
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