Forty years ago – on Dec. 2, 1980 – four churchwomen, including two from the Diocese of Cleveland who were members of the Cleveland Latin American Mission -- also known as CLAM -- were murdered while serving as missionaries in El Salvador during the country’s civil war.
They will be remembered and their lives will be celebrated through a series of virtual events on Dec. 2.
The Ursuline Sisters of Cleveland, who lost one of their own – Sister Dorothy Kazel, OSU – will celebrate her life and legacy as well as the lives of lay missionary Jean Donovan and Maryknoll Sisters Maura Clarke and Ita Ford. A program on the Zoom platform is planned for noon on Dec. 2. Participants can join beginning at 11:50 a.m. The program is co-sponsored by the Ursuline College Office of Diversity and Campus Ministry. It will feature author and journalist Eileen Markey, UC students, faculty and staff honoring the women’s memories through their commitment to work for justice.
Beaumont School will remember Sister Kazel during a Mass at the school on Dec. 2. Click here for more information on other programs and remembrances.
Sister Cynthia Glavac, archivist for the Ursuline Sisters of Cleveland and author of a biographical essay on Sister Kazel that is included in the book “In Love, in Faith, in Solidarity,” said despite restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic, this year’s anniversary is expected to be the biggest commemoration to date. A variety of virtual offerings are planned, including a rosary, which can be joined by anyone around the world.
Sister Glavac said the Ursulines dedicated a page on their website to resources about the four women and encourage interested people to visit the page to learn more about them and the commemorations.
Sister Kazel served as a guidance counselor at the former Sacred Heart Academy and at Beaumont School before answering a call to serve as a missionary at the diocesan mission in El Salvador. She arrived in 1974 and served about 6 ½ years before her death. Sister Glavac said she loved the work, despite the increasing tensions during the country’s civil war.
Donovan, a Connecticut native, developed an interest in missionary work during college, but she set it aside to earn a master’s degree at Case Western Reserve University and work at an accounting firm in Cleveland. However, she was stirred by the thought of missionary work and began volunteering with youth ministry in the diocese. After a few years, she followed her heart and trained for missionary work with the Maryknolls in New York. She arrived in El Salvador in August 1979, where she met and trained with Sister Kazel.
Donavan worked with the Caritas program, helping pregnant and nursing mothers, teaching about nutrition and doing pastoral work.
The two women helped the Maryknoll sisters, who ministered in a northern district.
During the civil war, 1979-1992, government-supported militia targeted those they believed supported social and economic reform, including academics, independent farmers and clergy/religious. Thousands of people were displaced, brutalized and killed during the civil war.
Sister Glavac said the Maryknoll sisters had gone to a conference and Sister Kazel and Donovan volunteered to pick them up at the airport. Sisters Clark and Ford had to take a later flight, so Sister Kazel and Donovan made a second trip. That’s when all four women were abducted, sexually attacked and murdered. They were buried in a shallow grave and exhumed on Dec. 4, 1980. Sister Kazel’s body was returned to Cleveland for a funeral. She is buried with other Ursuline Sisters in All Souls Cemetery. Donovan’s body was sent to her parents in Florida for a funeral and burial and the Maryknoll sisters, according to their congregation’s tradition, were buried in El Salvador.
A chapel and monument mark the spot where sisters are buried. Sister Glavac said many Salvadorans visit the site to pray.
“Many of the locals consider the women saints,” she added.
Those responsible for the murders were arrested and tried, with four national guardsmen convicted and sentenced to lengthy prison terms. Two have been released and the others are seeking pardons. One of their superiors also was convicted. After a lengthy legal battle, another superior who had settled in Florida was deported in 2015 to face charges in El Salvador for war crimes that occurred under his command.
The diocesan mission marked its 50thanniversary in 2014. Two diocesan priests, Father Paul Schindler and Father John Ostrowski, continue to minister there.
Photos are courtesy of the Ursuline Sisters Archives.