The cross known as “The Subversive Cross” is a simple, white cross
which leans against the front, left wall of Resurrection Church in San Salvador.
The cross is covered with hand-written messages—messages for peace and
prosperity from the people of Resurrection.
The cross was made in 1989, during the Salvadoran Civil War.
Bishop Medardo Gomez wanted to give his people the opportunity to express
their sorrow for the sins of their country, and also the hopes and prayers they
had for the future of El Salvador. One
Sunday, during the offering, he invited the worshippers to come forward and to
write down the sins, and the hopes and prayers on a plain, white cross.
At that time, the government decided to crack down on
guerrilla fighters who had successfully taken control of the neighborhoods
outside of San Salvador. Here, the
fighters hid among the poorest of the poor.
The government bombed these areas and targeted religious leaders as
supposed protectors of the guerrilla fighters.
This is the time at which six priests were killed at the UCA.
Soldiers came to Resurrection
Church to investigate and to search for Bishop Gomez.
Their intent was certainly to question him, but perhaps their intent was even more
dangerous for him. Bishop Gomez had
fortunately escaped a mere 15 minutes before the soldiers entered the church.
The soldiers searched the church, and seized the white cross as evidence
of subversion.
Government soldiers continued
to terrorize Christians. They
arrested Lutheran missionaries and clergy across the country.
Eventually these captives were released, but the government kept the
white cross. As the cross stood
among the soldiers, these men read the messages which were written upon it.
Their hearts were turned, and they were convinced that the sins described
on the cross were their sins. By
this time, Bishop Gomez returned from exile, and was invited to the
President’s house. Bishop Gomez
used this opportunity to ask the President about the white cross.
Some time later, the President
requested that the white cross be brought to his home.
The soldiers turned it over to the President.
As the cross stood in the President’s house, he read the messages and
pondered the sins of the government. He
was moved to send the cross back to Bishop Gomez.
The people of Resurrection Church see the cross as a sign of God’s
Spirit working in the world. Now
known as “The Subversive Cross,” this
cross stands as a testimony to the power of God and a beacon of hope for the
poor of the community.
Some of the messages on The Subversive Cross include:
·
despertar el compromiso con el pueblo
·
Ayuda y consuelo para las personas en general
·
Padre hermano companero guia, una luz que ilumina
nuestras iglesias y nuestras christiandad en alemana y otros paises del mundo
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