In his acceptance speech after being elected as El Salvador’s latest president, Mauricio Funes said, ‘In the name of the Salvadorean state, I recognise that agents belonging to the state, including the armed forces and public security bodies, committed grave human rights violations, including massacres, forced disappearances, torture, and other forms of repression, carried out mainly against defenceless civilians unrelated to the conflict. I recognise publicly the state’s responsibility for these deeds, as much as by action as by omission, given that it was and is the state’s obligation to protect its citizens and guarantee human rights.’
‘In the name of the Salvadorean state, I ask for forgiveness from the boys and girls, men and women, old and young, religious, farmers, workers, students, intellectuals and human rights activists and all those who have been unable to stop grieving because they do not know the whereabouts of their loved ones. May this forgiveness serve to dignify the victims and contribute to the healing of the country’s wounds and the building of a future filled with hope.’
He ended his speech with a reference to Romero:
‘I reaffirm today my preferential option for the poor, as it was expressed by our martyred bishop and the spiritual guide of the nation, Monsenor Oscar Arnulfo Romero.’
Venerable Suzanne Aubert: A missionary who made NZ her home
WelCom October 2019: Suzanne Aubert Celebration Day Sunday, 6 October, 2019 John Bergin As New Zealand takes pride in the great strides being made as a welcoming and tolerant community, there…
‘Climate justice’ call
WelCom October 2019: Thousands of New Zealanders of all ages took to the streets in more than 40 centres throughout the country on Friday 27 September, in solidarity to call for…
Extraordinary Mission Month – Te Marama o te Tino Mīhana
WelCom October 2019: October 2019 –Whiringa-ā-Nuku 2019 Baptised and sent: the Church of Christ on mission in the world – Kua iriiria, kua tukuna: kua tukuna te Hāhi o te Karaiti ki te manaaki…