by Kathy Shaw, SPARK Social Justice
Oscar Romero lecture – Excavating Hope on 13th March at Leeds Trinity city centre campus
Presented in the Leeds Diocese by SPARK Social Justice working in partnership with Leeds Trinity University
Fr Luis Orlando Pérez Jiménez (speaker) supported by Julian Filochowski, Chair of the Archbishop Romero Trust
Fr Luis Orlando Pérez Jiménez is a Jesuit priest from Mexico and has vast experience of work in the field of human rights in Latin America. He worked as a lawyer at the Human Rights Centre in Mexico City and his work with the Jesuit-run Centre exposed him to the plight of thousands of mothers who had lost their children because of forced disappearances and extra-judicial killings committed by Mexican military forces and organised crime. Now a doctoral student at the University College London Institute of the Americas, Fr Luis is researching these grave human rights violations, which have claimed over 100,000 victims in Mexico, and the culture of impunity surrounding it.
The title of the lecture “Excavating Hope” reflects the desperate and dangerous work undertaken by 240 networks of mainly women across Mexico who are seeking answers and hoping to find the bodies of their loved ones. They connect locally and regionally to share information and support, building a community in the face of great challenges. This high-risk activism can and does result in threats and on occasion the risk of death. Simply being seen to support the search for the “disappeared” can be enough to bring consequences from organised crime, or corrupt government and police officials.
Fr Luis spoke powerfully of faith, hope and love. The critical connections and relationships sustaining these 2000 women searching for their loved ones, should be mirrored in our experiences of Church, “ relationships are the key, if you don’t connect with someone, where is the reason to come back?”
Oscar Romero brings an inspiration of collective action through a united community, as a “a Prophet of Hope”. Fr Luis spoke about Oscar Romero, a privileged Archbishop who could have stepped back from the atrocities he witnessed but instead was inspired to action by the community he served. Fr Luis described his own experiences and the inspiration he has through his faith and through being with people who had few material benefits but were determined to fight for their rights. He challenged us to be part of the solution, “be a witness” and in doing so “to encounter God, the source of our hope”.
Rev’d Jon Swales read his poem at the event echoing the key themes of the evening.
Rev’d Jon Swales is an ordained Priest in the Church of England and founder of Lighthouse West Yorkshire, a church community with a special focus on those struggling with addiction and mental health issues in Leeds. Set up in 2014, Lighthouse now supports over a hundred people with multiple and complex needs, working closely with both St George’s Church and St George’s Crypt. Jon was recognised in the 2022 New Year’s Honours and was awarded an MBE for services to the city, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Alongside this Jon is involved in theological education and is currently a tutor with Leeds School of Theology, St Hild and Niagara School of Missional Leadership. Jon is passionate about peace making and climate justice and seeks through prayer and activism to be a prophetic witness to the church.
Hope leans forward,
tender,
listening to the whispers of creation
groaning for renewal.
It does not turn its face from shadows
but gazes through them,
finding in the darkness
the first faint glimmer of dawn.
There is a holy audacity in hope—
a quiet trust and boldness,
knowing the story is held
in hands not our own,
nail scarred hands that invite us
to weave and work with them
a future of beauty and grace.
Hope speaks where
fear falters,
narrating a kingdom ,
telling a story
where the scattered are gathered,
where the weary find rest &
the exile a home.
It does not retreat,
nor stumble
beneath the solemn,
world-weary weight.
It moves with sacred purpose,
a searching grace,
a steady faith.
Hope is a spring,
a foretaste,
an existential refreshing
a momentary liberation
that lifts us from despair.
Hope knows the wounds of this world,
but counters fear
with holy persistence, &
holy resistance,
declaring that there is not a hurt
he will not heal.
Hope,
a gift,
a call to action,
a quiet confidence that moves towards the pain—
not alone,
but with hands outstretched,
pulling the darkness of this world
towards the light of Christ.
Hope leans forward,
Tender,
‘Be ready,
Greet it with a kiss.
An evening of inspiration which will resonate with those attending for many weeks to come.
Find out more:
An article about Romero written by Rev’d Jon Swales:
https://www.cruciformjustice.com/post/oscar-romero-a-saint-for-a-world-on-fire
