The Diocese of Cleveland began its mission work in El Salvador 61 years ago, in response to a call from St. Pope John XXIII to spread the kingdom of Christ to the poor in El Salvador.
Forty-five years ago, the Community of Oscar Arnulfo Romero – commonly called COAR – was established to help care for and educate children impacted by the civil war in El Salvador.
Faithful from the diocese continue to support both ministries.
The Catholic Community Foundation Women’s Giving Circle learned about the ongoing mission work in the Central American country during a recent evening of reflection at Holy Martyrs Parish in Medina. The parish is named in honor of the four church women – including two from Cleveland – who were killed in December 1980, during the Salvadoran civil war.
Father Rob Reidy, a retired priest who served in the diocesan mission, presided at a prayer service in the church to begin the program.
The group then moved to the parish gathering area, where panelists were introduced. Speakers were Sister Rose Elizabeth Terrell, OSU, an educator and former missionary; Mary Stevenson, COAR executive director; and Father Reidy. Kim Scott Sowinski, a broadcast radio veteran, freelance writer, fitness instructor and Women’s Giving Circle member, served as moderator.
Meg Hopp, who helped create the WGC two years ago, told the group the evening of reflection was planned in honor of the four church women. She provided an overview of some diocesan and parish involvement in the Central American mission work. Some of the projects included building a water line, constructing housing, schools and health care facilities, as well as ministering to the people spiritually and providing education.
Reflecting on the four church women and her visit to the place where they died, Fusco wondered what they were experiencing on Dec. 2, 1980 when they were abducted and killed.
“What were they thinking? Were they scared? Probably. Did they pray? Did they hold hands?” Hopp wondered. She talked about the experience of visiting the place where they died and the chapel built in their memory.
“God meant for me to go on that trip at that time,” she said, adding that she felt the presence of the women. “It was powerful. They were strong, peaceful, devout women who laid down their lives.”
Father Reidy served as a member of the Cleveland Latin American Mission team, also known as CLAM, two times, 1982-1987 and 1999-2010, before returning home and resuming parish ministry. He shepherded two primarily Hispanic parishes – Sacred Heart Chapel in Lorain and La Sagrada Familia in Cleveland – before retiring. Father Reidy continues to support the mission and works as a volunteer with Catholic Charities, Diocese of Cleveland.
Sister Terrell taught at St. Claire, St. Paul and Metro Catholic schools, in addition to her mission work. She knew Sister Dorothy Kazel, OSU, one of the four women who were killed, noting they were a year apart in formation with the Ursuline Sisters.
Stevenson left a business career in 2004 to lead the COAR Peace Mission, which is based at the Center for Pastoral Leadership in Wickliffe.
Father Reidy offered some historical perspective about the mission and the political situation in El Salvador. He said when he first arrived in 1982, he learned much about the country. Coffee helped build the country’s economy. When that collapsed, thousands were impacted. He said poverty is pervasive and there is a huge dichotomy between the rich and poor, with virtually no middle class.
“Society consists of the ‘haves’ and the ‘have nots,’ driven by land/property ownership,” he said. The people tired of the situation and rebelled, which sparked the civil war that raged 1980-1992. Tens of thousands of people were killed during those times. Father Reidy said Communism was growing during those years and the violence continued. Archbishop Oscar Romero, after whom the COAR Peace Village is named, was murdered while celebrating Mass in March 1980.
The four church women were helping to bring children affected by the war into safer areas like COAR. Father Reidy said they likely were targeted. “You were judged by your actions,” he said, “I helped resettle people from the war zones and later learned there was a plan to kill me at one time. An intervention by the local mayor probably saved my life,” Father Reidy said.
Sister Terrell recalled Sister Kazel and her ever-present smile. “She played the accordion, loved Lithuanian folk dancing and was almost a professional roller skater. She was engaged to a soldier, but heard God’s call to a religious vocation. She was a holy woman inspired by the Gospel and felt called to work in the missions,” Sister Terrell said.
“Sister Dorothy planted seeds of faith, love of God and justice. Those seeds continue to be watered by CLAM,” she added.
Sister Kazel went to El Salvador because she felt she needed to help the children, Sister Terrell said. After visiting the mission, Sister Terrell felt the same call.
“I studied Spanish at age 65 and worked at the mission. We helped build two chapels in remote areas so the people would have a dignified place to worship God,” she added. Sister Terrell said they also began a scholarship fund in conjunction with Father Reidy to help fund the educational costs for Salvadoran children.
Stevenson provided information about COAR, noting when it began, it served 300 children, After moving to a larger location, COAR now serves about 1,000 children in grades K-8. “COAR is the oldest organization named after St. Oscar Romero,” she added.
After the Salvadoran civil war ended, Stevenson said COAR continued to help children, but its focus shifted to older children, especially girls, who were abused by gangs. She said their needs are so severe that it can take three years to help them recover.
When they arrive, many are so traumatized it takes time to help them address hygiene and other issues before they can deal with what happened to them. After that, they can attend school and socialize, she added.
Stevenson said COAR volunteers and staff make a few trips to El Salvador during the year, ensuring the needs of the facility are met. There is a fundraiser each spring to benefit COAR.
Father Reidy said people often ask why someone wants to be a missionary. The usual response is to help people, he said. “But the Salvadorans say, ‘We want you to walk with us.’ I was changed by my mission ministry. The people want you to come and sit with them, to talk with them, to see them. They’re not looking for a savior. They need you to come and see/know them.”
The Salvadorans “are thrilled to hear that we in Cleveland know about them,” he added.
Click here for more information about the El Salvador mission, including a video produced in 2014 to mark the 50th anniversary of the mission. COAR Peace Mission information is available here. And click here to learn more about the Women’s Giving Circle.