Romero Discussion Questions

Essays should be typed and may be returned either to the Youth Ministry Office via email to Mrs. Russo or in person to your catechist. Three questions are to be answered if you missed either Session #3 or Session #4. Six questions are to be answered if you missed both "Romero" sessions.

1. What images and meanings do words such as terrorist, guerrilla, subversive, or agitator have for you? How do oppressors play upon people's fears? Were the army and death squads successful in squelching the movement of the people towards freedom? How could Romero not know of the oppression of the people by the government forces?

2. While the people discussed injustices done to them, someone claimed it was God's will. Another responded, "Who says it was God's will? I think God looks at these things and vomits."

• Is it unfair to use "Whose side is God on?" as a focus for the entire film?
• Is God present when violence breaks out within a nation or between two nations whose people supposedly believe in God?
• Do you think God "chooses" sides in any conflict?

3. When we first meet Romero, he appears to be sleepwalking through the swirling violence in El Salvador.

• How did you interpret his reaction to being appointed archbishop?
• What if he had refused?
• Romero was a compromise choice. Such choices in the church usually turn things upside down. One such choice was Pope John XXIII. What do you know about changes resulting from his Second Vatican Council, many of which are reflected in this film?

4. If the church with its leaders identify with the people, as Romero came to realize in his own journey of faith, what happens to its role as a stabilizing force in a country?

• Does the drama that unfolds in this film give us an answer?
• What is the true role of religion in a country such as ours?
• Should the church teach or instruct people about war and peace, economics, the respect and dignity of all human life, or how to live a moral life?
• Should the church speak out and take a stand against injustice? At what cost?
• When should the church keep silent about these issues?
• How would you as a Christian speak out against abuses of people?
• Can one person do anything about prejudice or unjust wages in our society?

5. Louisa, who is eventually killed by the death squad after being raped and tortured, speaks to the archbishop in these prophetic words, "Will I go to heaven when I die? It is so bad here."

• After her death, did Romero take a stand as she asked?
• What happened to the archbishop when he fell to his knees on the road after visiting the graves?
• When the soldiers stripped Romero of his cassock, were you reminded of anything in the life of Jesus?
• Why was it so appropriate for the archbishop to begin the Eucharist with the people so soon after the soldiers disgraced him?
• What do you think of the young woman's words, "I've got to have something to look forward to"?

6. The kidnapping of the public official begins a series of atrocities that never seem to end.

• Why didn't the priest help Romero gain the release of the minister of agriculture?
• In their clandestine meeting, both the archbishop and the guerrillas were in disguise and met under cover of night. What were they hiding besides concealing themselves from the authorities?
• Was Romero still a na￯ve idealist when he said, "We must find other ways to work these things out"?
• Underlying the whole terrible situation in El Salvador is a racial hatred between the "blancos" (white European descendants) and the Indians. How is racial bigotry evidenced in this film?
• Why as the slain minister's widow vehement about not baptizing her child with those of the Indians?

7. When the local church is desecrated by the army, Romero takes a stand with the people. He identifies the crucified Christ with their suffering and pain. He calls them the church, the people of God. Did you understand the significance of his words?

• What is the "theology of liberation" confessed to by the priest?
• How has the church nurtured, protected, and promoted this theology? What lesson did Romero learn with his people in the midst of all the violence?
• Was Romero right when he traced all the violence against the poor to economic injustice?
• What does equal opportunity and equal access to food, shelter, health care, and clothing have to do with religious belief?

8. Was the assassination of Archbishop Romero inevitable?

• Was the young priest with the gun ready to face reality?
• Was it really a class warfare in El Salvador?
• Does this film paint too simplistic a picture of the situation in this Latin American country?
• Are there other things that have to be considered before we pass judgment on the people in government there?

9. Is the mission of the church, as Romero preached so eloquently, to identify with the poor in their struggle for justice?

• What is the gospel of non-violence?
• Can you name anyone who has tried to live this gospel?
• What success or failure did she or he experience?