Columban Sister Joan Sawyer Remembered in Peru.


 It was to the cross that the people came in the dark years of terrorism and military violence and at other times of national crises.  It was from here, the very location of the original massacre, that the Bishop’s awareness campaign on the plight of the prisoners in Peru was launched in 2000.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the violent death of Sister Joan Sawyer and the eight prisoners who died in a shootout with police on a dusty road outside their squalid prison on December 14, 1983.
Since then, the memory of this horrific act of bloodshed has been kept alive by the simple wooden cross with its inscription “No mataras”  that stands on the side of the road that runs through the district of San Juan de Lurigancho on the outskirts of the city of Lima in Peru.  The cross represents the commitment of the church to emphasize the commandment of the Lord: “You shall not kill!”
Since its erection this cross has become the focal point for the gatherings of the Christian communities of the district. 

This year, the the people of the area  gathered in solidarity with  the Truth and Reconciliation Commission who was to present its report to the President a short time later. The people came with balloon and banners and gathered around the large raised platform decorated with a huge painting of the cross and a picture of Joan.  The story of what happened on that day 20 years previously was retold by a pastoral worker from the prison and a Columban Sister.  Then the mayor of the district and representatives of the 12 parishes placed a wreath at the cross.  The names of those from the district who had lost their lives in the intervening years of violence and oppression were read aloud and the people renewed their commitment to work for truth and life. The Bishop then summed up once again the inspiration that Joan, who laid down her life for those deprived of life, was and is to the people of the District of San Juan de Lurigancho.

Columban Sisters Mary Neylon and 
Bridie Lough taken beside the picture 
of Sister Joan Sawyer, RIP.


 

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