It is estimated that 75,000 people were killed during El Salvador’s civil war between 1980 and 1992. Many of those killed were lay people working in churches, parishes and communities, their crime apparently preaching and living the word of God. In 2001 The Office of the Martyrs of El Salvador was set up by the Franciscan Justice and Peace Office. Initially young seminarians went to visit various parishes during their vacation to collect testimonies of anonymous murdered lay people (martyrs). Subsequently, it was decided to set up a dedicated ‘Office’ whose objective would be to collect data on all the lay martyrs in El Salvador, so that they receive their deserved recognition and honour and that they may serve as a model of Christian commitment to present and future generations. Two women were employed one to do the interviews and another to do the transcription. To date over 600 martyrs have been found and their stories recorded. Fr Tom Onuanain an Irish Franciscan priest and a good friend of Fr Peters is responsible for leading and coordinating this project.

LUIS UMAÑA NAJARRO

Born 1954. Murdered 1980.

Luis was a small farmer living in El Salvador. He was married to Maria Teresa Varillas with whom he had three daughters: Marta, Socorro and Ana Ruth. He was religious, serious, humble ,reflective and disciplined. However he was also friendly, communicative and enthusiastic. He loved football.

Under the supervision of the parish priest, Luis coordinated with another catechist the establishment of Basic Christian Communities throughout the parish. Later on they used to get together with the leaders of these communities and instruct them in the themes they were later to give in the communities. They also organized socials among the catechists so that they would get to know each other and prepare them for the dangers which their pastoral work entailed. He used to read the Bible a lot.

He worked for the Red Cross since he was 18 years old. He also worked with the archdiocesan organization Caritas, through which food was distributed to poor people. He was also involved in literacy programmes.

On that fateful day he left the town of Tacachico to visit his mother and also to see how his maize patch was getting along. He arrived at the house at 7 o’clock in the morning and seemed nervous as if sensing that something was to happen to him. He told his mother: ”Mother, I don’t feel well, I sense that something strange is about to happen.” He refused to eat when his mother offered him breakfast.

When his mother began to eat, some 40 members of the National Guard and the Civil Defense surrounded the house and captured him. They tied his hands and feet, threw him onto the back of a lorry and drove towards town. About a kilometer from his house, they halted and brought him into the bush. They tortured him before killing him. They filled his mouth with earth so he wouldn’t make noise. They hit him with rifle butts and kicks in the back, chest and legs. With the rifle butts they crushed his testicles. Finally they hacked away at his throat with a knife, until he died.

His body was brought to the Red Cross locale in Tacachico. The assistance at the wake and the funeral the following day was massive. People from all the Basic Christian Communities in the parish arrived as well as from other parishes. Also members of the Red Cross from neighboring towns and cities such as San Salvador, Santa Tecla and San Juan Opico.

Inspired by the Bible, especially chapter 25 of the St. Matthew gospel, where Christ identifies himself with the marginalized, he criticized an unjust society, where poor people didn’t have sufficient food or clothing, or have access to education and health services. Neither did he discriminate people because of their political beliefs, when distributing food from Caritas. Consequently his work was regarded as “anti government” and“subversive” by the local authorities.

Although he knew that his work was misinterpreted and that he was looked on with suspicion by the authorities, he didn’t lose his nerve. He used to say that his work was there for everyone to see and that he wasn’t going to flee or stop because of what people said. “If anything is going to happen to me, the Lord knows why”. He used to say to his mother: “Whatever happens, keep united.” And also “The Lord doesn’t leave us alone”. He used to quote passages from the Bible, especially that which proclaimed that if something happened to green wood, what would not happen with dry wood.

Although he couldn’t play any instrument, he was a very good singer. He liked religious songs, songs to do with the Eucharist and retreats. He particularly liked songs inspired in the bible, although to some people they might have appeared too demanding. We had the privilege of forming part of a choir that sung at two or three of Monseñor Romero’s masses in the Sagrado Corazon Basilica.

His favorite song was: “Id like to thank you Lord for the gifts you give us each day: water, bread and love and for flowers which give us joy”. His brother commented that he knew from the expression on his face, that Luis lived this message and that he felt it with his heart.

This testimony is a resume of that given by his brother Miguel Antonio Umaña. It was recorded on the 18 May 2005.