-Reverend Steve Armourae, Universal Life Church
OSCAR ROMERO NOW A SAINT
He was assassinated on March 24 1980 and will be canonized on the 14 October in St Peter's Square by his fellow Latin American prelate, Pope Francis.
The Protestant Churches recognised him before Rome did, displaying him as a martyr including above the Great West Door of Westminster Abbey.
Archbishop Romero was one of the 75,000 who died between 1979 and 1992. Most of the human rights violations were committed by the Revolutionary Government Junta of El Salvador with a fewer number committed by the left wing rebel FMLN group. USA Presidents Carter and Reagan gave military support to the junta.
Ab. Romero was a friend of the Liberation Theology priest Fr. Rutilio Grande (below).
Romero's appointment by Paul VI was welcomed by the government but with disappointment by Marxist sympathising priests. On 12 March 1977 Fr. Rutilio was murdered by the government for his work and support of the rights of the people. Ab. Romero was deeply affected by the priest's murder and then denounced injustices committed in El Salvador. He made many openly condemnatory broadcasts on the Catholic Radio Station against injustice and stating the Church must defend human rights and justice.
One of his memorable remarks was:
"There are many things that can only be seen through the eyes that have cried."
ERITREA
From July 8th to August 6th the Catholic Bishops of Eritrea with all the parishes,churches,chapels,convents and monasteries raised special prayers for peace. Eritrea has previously suffered severely during its civil war and a war with Ethiopia. Currently the country is under one of the most severe Press and media censorship controls in the world.
CATHOLIC PRIESTS TARGETED FOR MURDER-
CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
At least 24 were killed when an armed group attacked the Notre Dame de Fatima, a Comboni Catholic church in Bangui, the capital of the CAR in May.
Father Albert Tougoumale-Baba of the Verona's was amoung the victims. Fighting broke out when Moussa Emperor of the PK5 district self-defence militia was stopped by the police. Resisting arrest he was wounded. His men then attacked the security forces and randomly attacked civilians in the mostly Christian district. The militia then attacked the church where Mass was being celebrated with gunfire and grenades.
A crowd of thousands attempted to taked Fr.. Albert's body to the presidential palace but were dispersed by police.
Cardinal Dieudonne Nzapalainga archbishop of Bangui condemned the killings and appealed to the government and MINUSCA (UN Mission in Central Africa) to investigate.
NIGERIA
Mbalom village, Gwer East Local Government Area, Benue State, located on the border between the mainly Muslim north and Christian South of Ringer, another massacre occurred in. April.
The attack occurred at dawn mass in the parish of St Agnatius Ukpor-Mbalom. Gunmen burst in and killed 19 including Father Jospeh Gor and Father Felix Tylaha.
After attacking the church, the criminals burnt more than 60 homes and hay lofts. The population fled tro another village for safety. The bishops said the President, Muhammadu Buharu should stand down to prevent the nation collapsing further. They continued that "terrorists have turned the vast parts of the Middle Belt into a massive graveyard." In a long statement condemning the government's failure they also stated the fear that the Faluni rebels have returned to the area.
Fr Bernardin Brou and Fr. Theophile Ahi were forced off the road by two armed men who demanded money. The priests were not carrying money, in response the attackers opened fire mortally wounding Fr Bernadin before fleeing as another vehicle approached.
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
Father Etienne Sengiyumva was murdered by the Mai Mai Nyatura militia having just celebrated Mass, a wedding and a baptism. According to Agence Franc-Presse from information supplied by the Goma diocese and Fr Gonzague Nzabnita.
Father Celestin Ngango of St Paul Karambi Parish was abducted but later released unharmed after pressure from local villagers. He was the sixth priest since 2012 in the eastern DRC to be abducted and one o fthe few abductees to be released.
MEXICO
Since 2012, 23 priests have been killed, with the violence increasing. In April Fr Ruben Alcatara the Vicar General of Cautitlan Izalli was stabbed to death, Fr. Ruben Alcatara Diaz, Fr. Fabila Reyes,83, were murdered. Fr. Fabilia's family had paid a ransom of over $100,000.
PHILIPPINES
Fr. Mark Ventura, 37, had just celebrated Mass and was talking to children and the choir when a man came forward and shot him twice. Fr. Mark was known for his anti-mining advocacies and helping the indigenous people in the Gattran region.
NICARAGUAN NUN CALLS UPON THE WORLD
Sister Xiskya Valladares has appealed to the world's nations to intervene in the ongoing bloodshed in her country. Calling upon the international community to end their silece as the 6 million inhabitants suffer she listed the atrocities of President Daniel Ortega: children and families burned alive, people walking in the street gunned down, sacrilege committed in churches, a wounded bishop, many arrested with out judicial orders followed by torture.
She continues "When will you react?"..."I ask for diplomatic pressure: the condemnation of crimes of human injury."
BRAZIL SISTER FRANCISCA ERBENIA de SOUSA
In Ceara,one of the poorest and most violent states of Brazil, Sr. Francisca fights alongside the most oppressed in the area, women victims
of abuse, the youth and the farmers and fishermen.
The corruption of the government of Michel Temer has increased and particular afflicts youths of African decent. Human rights that have been won are being overturned by the large number of Pentecostal MPs in parliament. This facilitates oppression and violence.
Half of the population of women have suffered violence and the number of women murders is the fifth highest in the world.
Sr Francisca insists that to liberate women through professional and financial independence.
The school called Caritas has 126 schools covering 800 communities to provide education to the poor that excluded by the Brazilian system. Taught agriculture,cooperative commerce and conflict resolution they spend half of the school time applying the theory to their communities.
So far Caritas has educated over 17,000. The majority of the pupils come from the fishing villages, who are ignored by the central government and their problems with the fishing industry as a result of water shortage.
Fisherwomen are the most discriminated against as they are not given professional status and considered merely as 'companions.'
Ceara also suffers from a machismo and male dominated culture that undermines womens self-esteem and confidence. Sr. Francisca says it is this domination must be deconstructed and replaced by a new construction. One of her methods is the use of women in the Old Testament for the purpose of empowerment. "The attitude of Jesus was always to ask rather than to teach. It was the women he met who, in various ways, showed him how to approach reality, placing the person and the value of life at the centre."
