"Demand structural changes that favor the reign of God" ~ Archbishop Oscar Romero

"The church is obliged by its evangelical mission to demand structural changes that favor the reign of God and a more just and comradely way of life. Unjust social structures are the roots of all violence and disturbances. … Those who benefit from obsolete structures react selfishly to any kind of change."

- Archbishop Oscar Romero, November 1979. Today is the anniversary of his martyrdom.

hat tip to Sojourners online

Oscar Romero

Oscar Romero

Óscar Arnulfo Romero y Galdámez (August 15, 1917 – March 24, 1980), commonly known as Monseñor Romero, was a priest of the Roman Catholic Church in El Salvador. He later became prelate archbishop of San Salvador.

As an archbishop, he witnessed numerous violations of human rights and began a ministry speaking out on behalf of the poor and victims of the country's civil war. His brand of political activism was denounced by the hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church and the government of El Salvador. In 1980, he was assassinated by gunshot while consecrating the Eucharist during mass. His death finally provoked international outcry for human rights reform in El Salvador.

In 1997, a cause for beatification and canonization into sainthood was opened for Romero and Pope John Paul II bestowed upon him the title of Servant of God. The process continues. He is considered the unofficial patron saint of the Americas and El Salvador and is often referred to as "San Romero" in El Salvador. Outside of Catholicism Romero is honored by other religious denominations of Christendom, like the Church of England through its Common Worship. He is one of the ten 20th-century martyrs from across the world who are depicted in statues above the Great West Door of Westminster Abbey, London.

Almighty God, you called your servant Oscar Romero to be a voice for the voiceless poor, and to give his life as a seed of freedom and a sign of hope: Grant that, inspired by his sacrifice and the example of the martyrs of El Salvador, we may without fear or favor witness to your Word who abides, your Word who is Life, even Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be praise and glory now and for ever. Amen.

~From "Satucket" lectionary blog

Little Boxes, sung by Pete Seeger

Check out Pete Seeger sining "Little Boxes" (and the lyrics below)

I do believe that God has more in mind for us than just Little Boxes ... I wonder sometimes whether my pastoral work, my preaching, my ministry helps to break us out of boxes, or whether it merely makes us more comfortable being constrained in our little boxes...

I pray we have the courage to dismantle the little boxes, or at least break open a hole in them!

Rev. Peter Carey


Little Boxes, sung by Pete Seeger

Little boxes on the hillside
Little boxes made of ticky tacky
Little boxes, little boxes
Little boxes all the same

There's a green one and a pink one
And a blue one and a yellow one
And they're all made out of ticky tacky
And they all look just the same

And the people in the houses all go to the university
And they all get put in boxes, little boxes all the same
And there's doctors and there's lawyers and business executives
And they're all made out of ticky tacky and they all look just the same

And they all play on the golf course and drink their martini dry
And they all have pretty children and the children go to school
And the children go to summer camp and then to the university
And they all get put in boxes, and they all come out the same

And the boys go into business and marry and raise a family
And they all get put in boxes, little boxes all the same
There's a green one, and a pink one
And a blue one and a yellow one
And they're all made out of ticky tacky
And they all look just the same




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Seeking some constructive understanding of Black Liberation Theology...

...we would do well to read a variety of views on Black Liberation Theology and also move our discussion to a more substantive and constructive level than it currently has been in response to the Rev. Jeremiah Wright's statements, and Barack Obama's amazing speech last week.

From the blog, Inhabitatio Dei ...

Black Liberation Theology in Current Discussions

Posted on March 25, 2008 by Halden

For those that have been confused by the rather muddled and frenzied discussions in the media lately about Barak Obama, Jeremiah Wright, and race relations in America, allow me to heartily recommend the various discussions of these things by my friend David Horstkoetter. David is a student at Union Seminary who has studied under James Cone and has a passionate interest in race and theology, and black theology in particular. He has blogged extensively about the current discussions, including some very helpful comments by J. Kameron Carter which clarify elements of this hoopla very well. I highly commend David’s critiques of the innane conservative backlash against Rev. Wright’s willingness to speak the truth about race in America. They are right on the money.

Can there be Unity without Uniformity?

A brief question that encapsulates some of the issues that I tried to address in my honors thesis was the question of "Can there be Unity but not Uniformity?" within the Church, within the gathered community, within even other entities such as schools, families, organizations? My assumption is that there can be Unity but not Uniformity, though it will require a dynamism that most communities have difficulty tolerating and celebrating. My assumption needs to be challenged and tested ... as it probably is in many local churches, as well as in the Global Anglican Communion.

Can there be Unity but not Uniformity?