Today was a difficult day. Not physically. But mentally,
emotionally, and spiritually. Today we went to go visit sites of historical
significance relating to the Salvadoran Civil War (1980-1992). We visited the
National Cathedral where Monsignor Romero was buried and the place where he was
killed, Divinia Providencia. After that we went to the University of Central
America where 6 Jesuit priests, their housekeeper, and her daughter were
murdered. Then we moved on to Cinquera to hear testimony about the war.
No matter how many times I hear the stories, look at the
pictures, and see objects from the Civil War, I am still sickened. I feel
angry, sad, horrified, and disillusioned. The ways in which other people hurt
and torture their fellow human beings disgusts me. I took a class in college on
ethnopolitical conflict and peace, so I understand to a certain degree how and
why genocide and other atrocities occur. But as a human being, I still struggle
to wrap my head around such violence.
Please see my four previous blogs for information about the
National Cathedral, Divinia Providencia, the University of Central America, and
Cinquera.
There were a couple happy moments during the day. The guest
house where we stayed in San Salvador was beautiful and breakfast was
wonderful. We were able to spend time with Alfredo and Katherine. At the end of
the day we met with the Pastoral Team. And of course it was great to spend time
with each other. I’m so excited to be back in El Salvador. Even though today
was difficult, it was worth it.
At the guest house
Relaxing
Placemat at breakfast
Pinatas in the back of a pickup truck
Cheese!!
Quality time at the Pastoral House
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