On Dec.2, 1980, four U.S. followers of Jesus working with the poor in El Salvador -Maryknoll Sisters Maura Clarke and Ita Ford, Ursuline Sister Dorothy Kazel, and lay missionary Jean Donovan - were kidnapped, raped, and murdered by soldiers of El Salvador. The U.S. Army had trained and supported the El Salvador Army.
The Salvadoran soldiers raped and killed the women to give a "message" to anyone who cared for the poor people of that country: If you help the poor, this will happen to you! The army had been stealing, raping, and killing thousands of the poor of their own country for many years. The U.S. government knew this, and continued to assist the Army. The four women were not foolish. They knew the risks of working with the poor people. However, all four turned down requests from their families to leave. Why? Because they believed it was important to be a "witness"( martyr) to the people that Jesus does not abandon the "least of his brothers and sisters".
Jean Donovan had worked with the deaf community in Cleveland, OH before she went to work in El Salvador. She was not a religious Sister. She did not have to be there, but chose to do this despite the risks involved. After the four bodies of the women were found, officials in the U.S. Government and the Salvadoran government BLAMED THE FOUR WOMEN! These people said that the women should not have gotten involved with the poor and suffering of that country! The women knew better. They chose to follow the Lord Jesus and serve their poor brothers and sisters.
Thirty years later, there is still much injustice, oppression, rape and murder of the poor, the disabled, the forgotten of Central and South America.. Pray for all those who suffer such injustice. Pray for those brave men and women who continue to proclaim the Gospel, "the good news of Jesus", to those who are innocent and suffer so terribly.