Central America Week Provides Lenten Focus
Episcopal News Service. February 26, 1987 [87042]
NEW YORK (DPS, Feb. 26) -- "All of us can do something." These words from Salvadoran Roman Catholic Archbishop Oscar A. Romero, spoken on the day he was assassinated, have become the theme for this year's March 21-29 celebration of Central America Week. It is also a part of a wider "Lenten Witness for Justice and Peace in Central America."
The commemorative week, whose dates are always chosen to include the anniversary of Romero's death (March 24, 1980), is now in its sixth year. Sponsored by the Inter-Religious Task Force on Central America, the National Council of Churches and several denominations and related groups, including the Episcopal Church, the celebration is "a time for people of all faiths to Join in prayer, study, reflection, and action in support of the people of Central America."
Packets of materials are available from the Task Force and have been sent to all Episcopal parishes and, through the Public Policy Network, to the heads of diocesan peace committees. The packet contains a bulletin insert, liturgical resources, ideas for action, articles on "The National Guard in Central America" and "The United States in Central America," a poster (which was made possible by a grant from the Episcopal Church) and an evaluation form. In addition, diocesan peace chairmen received information on Central America-related legislation, as did Public Policy Network members in the areas of peace and disarmament, economic and social Justice and racism and discrimination. The general mailing to Episcopalians also included a brief piece by the Rev. Ricardo Potter, partnership staff officer for Latin America and the Caribbean at the Episcopal Church Center, on the history of the Episcopal Church in Central America -- it is the only denomination, other than Roman Catholic, to have a presence in all countries of Central America.
As part of the Lenten Witness for Peace, each Wednesday in Lent there will be a worship service in Washington at Noon on the Capitol steps. Participating denominations are sharing the responsibility for these services, with March 11 falling to the Episcopal Church. Presiding Bishop Edmond L. Browning, who will be in Raleigh, N.C. for the Executive Council meeting on that date, has asked his Washington staff officer, the Rev. Dr. William L. Weiler, to represent him for this. Simultaneous services are planned for the gathered members of Council and in the Chapel of Christ the Lord at the Episcopal Church Center here. All Episcopalians and their parishes are being encouraged to Join in similar services of witness and prayer at that time.
Further copies of the materials packet are available from the Inter-Religious Task Force on Central America, 475 Riverside Drive, Room 563, New York, NY 10115; phone: (212) 870-3383.
Copies of the legislative information, as well as the history of the Episcopal Church in Central America, are available from Nancy Deppen, coordinator, Public Policy Network, Episcopal Church Center, R15 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10017; phone: (212) 867-8400, ext. 486.