Jesuit Martyrs - 20 year ago: 11/16/1989

Although for many people the 20 years that have passed since the killing of the six Jesuits and their housekeeper and her daughter may seem like yesterday, many people both within El Salvador and elsewhere around the world have no knowledge of this tragic event. 

Recently, I was able to participate in an immersion into El Salvador.  As participants, we were exposed to the culture of the country and its long and violent civil war history.  We traveled to civil war sites and areas of mass murder and martyrdom of Jesuits, priests, lay ministers, nuns, and civilians.   Here in the smallest country in Central America, political heavy-handedness from the elites along with need for a just working wage and fair distribution of land for the poor triggered a long and bitter civil war. 

Jesuits and local priests became very active politically through the doctrine of liberation theology.  Their bravery and dedication to the cause of the poor, was and is still truly amazing.   During the civil war conflict, a bumper sticker slogan was produced, saying “Be a Patriot – Kill a Priest.”   Even with a mark on their heads, priests and Jesuits continued to serve the people, help them in their struggle and work for justice.  Sadly, many, many people lost their lives in this long and bitter civil war conflict. 

No one more than the Jesuits fully understand the phrase “Paying the Price.”  The Jesuits suffered many losses, but the brutal assassination of the six Jesuits within the compound of the University of Central America was seen as one of the most horrific assaults on a group of religious leaders.  We were able to visit the now rose garden site where the Jesuits were brutally killed.  Down a short path their housekeeper and her daughter were taken out of their room and murdered as well.  

Word of the Jesuit assassinations spread quickly throughout the world-wide order of the Jesuits.  Over 400 Jesuits volunteered to go to El Salvador to take the place of the six who were murdered.  These Jesuits knew full well that they too may be called upon to “pay the price” with their lives in this conflict. 

On November 16, on the 20th anniversary of the deaths of the Jesuits, we need to remember and honor them for ‘paying the price’ now more than ever. 

Joleen Richwine
Senior Administrative Assistant
Political Science and International Relations
and Graduate Program International Relations
Creighton University