REVIEW OF FILM NIGHT - "The Claim: Archbishop Romero, his people and Pope Francis"

Thanks to Una Corning for this account of last week's film night.

Last Friday’s Film Night welcomed over 80 Parishioners from across the whole Catholic Parish of Guildford to watch a special documentary about the life and work of the recently canonised Saint Oscar Romero.

This event was facilitated by fellow Parishioner Pat Jones and introduced by Julian Filochowski OBE, the Chair of the Romero Trust, for which £600.50 was raised through Parishioners’ generous donations on the night.  Julian knew Archbishop Oscar Romero well and campaigned passionately for his canonisation after his death.  After watching the documentary, Julian shared own personal experience of working with this remarkable man, during a Question & Answer Session, which proved to be really inspirational.  As Pat reflected, the evening afforded a unique opportunity for our Community to come together whilst sharing in the experience of a real deepening of our faith.
 
St. Oscar Romero was assassinated in San Salvador on 24th March 1980, whilst celebrating Mass.  As Archbishop, he preached each week from his Cathedral, denouncing the killings, torture and disappearance of community leaders then happening in his country.  As a voice for the voiceless poor in a society of cover up and lies, he spoke the truth of what was happening and appealed to those involved in violence to stop the oppression.  He was vilified in the press, denounced to Rome by wealthy members of the Catholic classes and publicly opposed by some Catholics.  He accepted the risks to his own life as part of his fidelity to the Gospel and the poor.  You can learn more about his life here: www.romerotrust.org.uk/who-was-romero

Romero helps us understand what the Gospel asks.  In a world in which it is difficult to find reasons for hope, he gives us inspiration.  He shows us that the Gospel matters for the world.

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N.B.  Anyone who was not able to see the film last week will be interested to know that Julian Filochowski hopes to make it available to view on www.romerotrust.org.uk in a few months' time, once distribution restrictions currently in force have expired.