Us and our unique CAFOD Romero Cross
Justice & Peace activities in the parish of St Francis of Assisi in South Ascot UK

Fairtrade | CAFOD | Romero Cross | ANAWIM | Medaille Trust | A30 Ecumenism | Holocaust Memorial | Foodbank | Home | Contact

Put in place on 16 November 2012, our unique Cross made to go on
the north-facing wall of the Friary - so that it would catch the eye of
everyone going south along Coronation Road - to church, the primary school,
St Mary's School, or elsewhere.  The added face of Oscar Romero is being
pointed out by Sarah Nikkel and daughter Anja.  A few years back, Sarah saw Romero's tomb in El Salvador during a visit by her parish in the USA. We are currently working to link with the parish of San Franciso de Asis in Mejicanas,
in the capital San Salvador - already joined by the spirit of Romero.

"What a wonderful idea" says Julian Filochowski, Director of the Romero Trust and former Director of CAFOD.

"Looks fabulous", says Jan Graffius, responsible for the preservation of the relics of Archbishop Oscar Romero and other priests assassinated in El Salvador.  

Many people will be familiar with the small and colourful Romero Crosses hand-made in El Salvador.  They help to commemorate the life and work of Archbishop Oscar Romero whom CAFOD has championed – together with the Catholic Church and the Church of England (as on the front of Westminster Abbey). 

St Francis CAFOD Contact Hugh Gibbons has made a 7+ft version of the Cross to be placed on one of the walls facing Coronation Road. This will be a very public proclamation of support for the values of Romero and CAFOD.  It will also enhance the look of the outside of the church building – even for a few months before moving inside.

It's seen (on the left) in its temporary resting place by the font in St Francis - with parish priest Fr Tom Taaffe and two volunteers giving a sense of size.

The current plan is to fix the cross permanently in place in March 2013 - as part of Romero Week, commemorating the legacy of the archbishop and celebrating his legacy and the work of campaigners worldwide.

In the meantime, the cross is available to visit local schools and churches. 
For information, please contact hughgibbons@just1.org.uk

Hugh says: "What would be good is for many people to touch the CAFOD Cross - not to venerate it but to leave a trace of their invisible DNA on their fingerprints.  Then in 50 years' time, others can touch the cross, and perhaps feel something of their heritage."

The St Francis version is different in including the figure of St Francis is his role as patron saint of the environment – as well as Archbishop Romero. 

News has gone to El Salvador - and to the parish of San Francisco de Asis in Mejicana in the capital.  This is in a part of San Salvador which is about as different from South Ascot as you can imagine.

And a remarkable development is that a similar-sized cross has been commissioned from the artist Lazaro Rodriguez - to go in a new chapel being built in the little mountain town of Guarlija. Better still, this is where CAFOD supports a health centre!

It's possible that Lazaro may be able to provide similar crosses to go in UK churches.

To test the concept, Hugh made a 1/3 size version to go in his porch (above right).

For the big version, softwood was used as the base.  The major problem for Hugh - definitely a non-carpenter - was getting a big flat surface including the arms section. 

This was made by having two separate panel held in place by dowelling, and then reinforced by wooden braces running the full width and depth. An outer frame was added to help protect the edges.

The basic design used was that on the CAFOD website.  The shapes were pencilled in.  The colour fills were done using standard acrylic paints, and several coats were needed.  The black lines were the last element to be added before three clear glazes.

An inspiring contact and advisor was Jan Graffius, Curator at Stonyhurst College.  She's responsible for the preservation and care of the relics of Archbishop Romero and other priests assassinated in El Salvador - a duty that has taken her to the country several times.

Jan gave the 2012 Romero Lecture in Southwark Cathedral on Thursday 27 September - details from The Romero Trust . This is a UK organisation set up to celebrate and commemorate the life and work of Archbishop Oscar Romero, and is a rich source of information. 

Romero Memorial Crosses
are hand-made and hand-painted
for CAFOD by Lázaro Rodriguez
and his family in La Palma, El Salvador. 
On the reverse they show Archbishop Romero's birth
and martyrdom date, and a quote from him.

The small crosses (4" high)
are £2.50 each
Medium crosses (12" high)
are £12.50 each. 
Large crosses (20" high)
are £25 each.   
You can get them from CAFOD Resources,
Romero House, 55 Westminster Bridge Road,
London, SE1 7JB.

Jan Graffius at work in
Oscar Romero's home in
San Salvador during her latest visit
in November 2012