Qualities of the Church in Romero Movie - Essay Example

?Full Qualities of the Church The church is recognized and treated as a sacred place when all the people who enter in respect the ideologies of the church and maintain peace and order. For instance, the church is known to be a place of worship so that silence should be observed most of the time. There should be no children playing around or people gossiping or laughing inappropriately otherwise, the sense of sacredness is violated. In the movie “Romero”, the sacredness of the church was violated when the soldiers occupied the place and caused trouble there. When the archbishop went to get the sacrament to protect it, the soldier fired at the crucifix and the altar instead of letting him in quietly. Such rudeness desecrated the church because the place of worship has become a place of violence. In order to re-claim and re-establish the sacredness of the church, the archbishop has to take over through the power vested upon him as a leader of the church via a peaceful entry back to the church. He has to do this with the help of the churchgoers. Moreover, the word of God should again be preached in the space so that there would be sanctification of the place once again as it becomes a place of security and peace. The troublesome elements must be expelled from the church to thwart further disturbances. When we say that the church is an institution, we mean that it is like any other organized group wherein there are leaders to govern the people and activities of the church as well as rules and regulations to follow. Since the church deals with people, there has to be an organized manner to handle the affairs of the church. Moreover, the church necessarily deals with other institutions like political and business establishments therefore there is the need for such organization. In the movie, this feature is seen in the installation of father Romero as the archbishop. This means that the church recognized him as the leader of all the churches in El Salvador and gave him the power to decide about matters concerning the church. Such leadership demands working well with other priests. For instance, after the massacre of the church worshippers at Aguillares, the Salvadoran bishops convened about the statement that was to be made by the church. They had to agree on what they were supposed to do regarding a political matter that has affected the church people, trying to balance their sides in order not to step in other jurisdictions but also making sure that they do their part as a religious group. When they agreed not to make any statement about the killings during masses, they showed how they act similarly with non-religious institutions, making decisions considering other factors that may put the church in danger or question. Such is collegiality. The bishops showed that there is unity among them. Although there were differing opinions about the matter at hand, respect about different ideas was held and everyone’s reaction was taken into consideration. They all voted for what they wanted to do and they carried on what the majority wanted. In this first convention, Romero upheld collegiality in the church as an institution by being open to considerations. However, after the death of his friend, father Grande, the archbishop decided on a single mass at the cathedral which the bishops did not agree with. As usual, there were different opinions from the group. Some opposed Romero’s decision arguing that the action he plans to take will be misinterpreted as a political statement when the church’s job was only to preach the gospel. However, Romero said he is not trying to do so. His word was implemented without the agreement of the majority. This showed how the archbishop critiqued the institution. The church is said to be a “proclaiming people” when it stands for the rights of the people, acting as a voice for the silenced poor. As the leader of the church, the archbishop or any other powerful authority in the church must do the proclaiming. This act should not just be limited in the church alone but also in other places where the voice should be heard in order to bring to the people concerned the cry of the people. This is portrayed in the movie by Romero when he acted as the speaker of the people, getting in touch with the political leaders whom he knew would be able to act on the people’s needs. For instance, Romero found it necessary that he should speak to the elected president to take action and stop the killings of priests and helpless civilians. Despite his hectic schedules, he demanded himself to wait for the president in his office. When he was not entertained by the president, he sacrificed his position and went to the president’s meeting, uninvited. Moreover, he sent a letter to the president of the United States to request that the country should stop sending its soldiers because they are just being used to kill innocent Salvadorans. This role of the church is important because when the people feel powerless and speechless, there should be someone to stand and speak for them. This encouraged the people and strengthened them further to fight for their rights, knowing that there was someone supporting them in their struggles. The church is described as a pilgrim when it is seen as a group of people who are just passing through this life. However, the life that the people live should leave a mark that will be of a great impact to future generations. Those who have such perception like Romero join hands with the people in their struggles not only when they go to church for confessions but also in taking action, engaging themselves to resolve differences among the people and fighting for what is just and right. Romero used his power and influence to take part in fighting for the human rights of the Salvadorans, even to the point of endangering himself, exposed to the threats of his enemies. He used the pulpit to express his appeal to the people to live and let live as everyone is a pilgrim, a passer by on this earth. he implored all the people to live in peace and harmony and stop the killing because they are sinning against God and their own people when they kill each other. In bringing the gospel to the people, pleading with them to act according to the word of God, Romero helps the kingdom of God come on earth as it is in heaven. It is important to note that we are co-creators in the kingdom of God because we act upon what we know and believe. Having such knowledge and understanding; there comes a sense of responsibility and accountability on each person and there exists respect and freedom. Romero criticized his critics for misunderstanding his principles because he was considered a guerilla even by his very own colleagues. All Romero wanted was a life wherein people respected each other and treated each life as sacred so that reckless killings will be avoided. However, he was misinterpreted as getting involved with political matters when all he thought about was the benefit and welfare of the people. The church is described as a servant when it becomes the hands of feet of the people. A servant works for another person without question. Similarly, when the church performs its duties with the same attitude, it is serving the people and God. The people in the church like the priests, nuns and bishops are to become the servants regardless of their position, gender or age. One of their duties should be to bring to pass the word of God in their lives as they bring the teachings to the people. They are to become the models of the servant-hood that Jesus exemplified when He had His pilgrimage here on earth. Romero showed this servant spirit when he volunteered to become the voice of the voiceless, the arms who embraced the grieving and the feet who brought the people’s messages to the people concerned. Father Grande also modeled this attitude. When some church-goers were murdered during a mass, he brought the news to Archbishop Romero, expecting he would be given some help. However, when Romero seemed not to believe in him, Grande went back to his people to comfort them. He wept with the people and made himself available to embrace them in their time of grief. He was a very benevolent man, extending help to whoever is in need whenever he has the chance. Even during his last hour, he helped the children by giving them a ride. Such scenes were trying to convey that people in the church should get involved with the struggles of the people not only in words but also in deed. When a person is placed on a high position, he should not think of himself as somebody to be served but that he is there to serve the people instead. Read More