Dennis: nuns' murder shows greed
By KAREN SCHAFF
News Writer
The story of four nuns murdered in El Salvador illustrates the greed for power, said Marie Dennis, director of the Maryknoll Office for Global concerns, in a lecture Monday.
The four women who were murdered were ordinary people whose faith changed their lives, according to Dennis.
"These women could have been anyone," said Dennis. "[It is] a testimony of transformed lives."
On December 20, 1980, nine months after the death of the Archbishop Oscar Romero, four American women were abducted, raped and killed by Salvadorian soldiers. These soldiers were trained in the United States and used guns made in the U.S., yet, nothing happened when these women — Ida, Mora, Dorothy and Jean — were killed.
Ida started her work in Chile, where she experienced poverty and oppression for the first time, Dennis explained. Ida also learned that government officials were making threats against the Church in an attempt to discredit its members.
Romero invited Ida to go to El Salvador to continue her work with the poor. Shortly before her planned arrival, Romero died.
Ida began to wonder about the message of the gospel and the power of the people.
Ida's friend Clara, who was later killed while transporting prisoners, offered inspiration using the words of Jesus: "I am the way." It was then that these two women became completely engrossed in the poverty of the Salvadorians, said Dennis.
Mora also faced the challenges of poverty and despair, Dennis explained. Every day she saw the death of children and the misery of the poor.
"The poor would give [their] life for some change," said Dennis.
Dorothy started her work in 1974 by visiting homes and preparing people for the sacrament. Dennis quoted Dorothy: "They must continue preaching the Lord even if it means laying down your life."
Jean was a coordinator of many of the events that led to strengthening poor communities. She distributed food and educated those who could not go elsewhere.
She was nicknamed St. Jean the Playful, even though she witnessed many deaths and "felt personally challenged to help these people cope," said Dennis.
These women stayed in El Salvador at the price of their lives, Dennis said. They represented the hopes and fears of this community.
"It was a test of faith," she said. "It called us beyond what we are, to what we could be."
Dennis said that this was the extraordinary story of four women who help us understand God.
"Part of who we are is in their story," Dennis said.
Her three-lecture series concludes tonight with a lecture entitled "Called to Respond: The Jesuits and Co-Workers Martyred at the University of Central America" in the Stapleton Lounge at 7 p.m.
All News Stories for Tuesday, March 7, 2000
