Archbishop of Canterbury visits El Salvador | The Archbishop of Canterbury

The Most Revd and Rt Hon Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury on the outdoor altar during the Eucharist service to launch and bless the Anglican Communion Forest at Iglesia Divine Providencia in El Maizal, El Salvador.

The Archbishop of Canterbury has visited El Salvador on the second leg of his trip to Central America. It is the first time Archbishop Justin has officially visited the country and was an opportunity to focus on Anglican and ecumenical relationships, as well as to learn about the ongoing work by the Church to tackle climate change.

The Most Revd and Rt Hon Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury shakes hands with dozens of members of the congregation during the Eucharist service to launch and bless the Anglican Communion Forest at Iglesia Divine Providencia in El Maizal, El Salvador.

On day one in the capital San Salvador, the Archbishop took part in a pilgrimage of sites of significance to Saint Oscar Romero. The fourth Archbishop of San Salvador, Saint Oscar Romero spoke out against social injustice and violence, and was shot while celebrating mass in 1980. The pilgrimage began at the Capilla De La Divina Providencia, the small chapel where he was assassinated. From there, the group visited his home, and then the Metropolitan Cathedral to visit the crypt where he is buried.

Speaking afterwards, Archbishop Justin said: “I’m moved beyond words. Oscar Romero had preached extraordinarily powerfully the day before his death, asking the government, begging the government, commanding the government, to cease killing and murdering. In doing so he signed his death warrant. Because the next day as he was celebrating mass a car drew up outside the open door of the chapel and they shot him. He is an inspiration, a deeply Christian man who loved the Lord Jesus Christ, and because of that, loved the poor and loved his fellow human beings. And for that he gave his life.”

The Most Revd and Rt Hon Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury and the Anglican delegation visit the house at Hospitalito La Divina Providencia where St Romero lived.

Following the pilgrimage, the Archbishop led an ecumenical prayer for peace at the Cathedral of St John the Evangelist, promoting reconciliation across religious communities. In the afternoon, the delegation visited the University of Central America where they learned about the murder of six Jesuit Priests and two women at the university on 16th November 1989, during the Salvadorian Civil War.

On day two in El Salvador, Archbishop Justin preached and presided at a Eucharist in El Maizal, where he planted the first tree in the Anglican Communion Forest in Central America. The Communion Forest was launched at the Lambeth Conference in 2022 and is part of the Anglican Communion’s efforts to join together in tree growing and ecosystem conservation, protection and restoration throughout the world.

The Most Revd and Rt Hon Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury plants tree at the end of the Eucharist service to launch and bless the Anglican Communion Forest at Iglesia Divine Providencia in El Maizal, El Salvador.

Blessing the forest and hailing this important environmental project, the Archbishop echoed the original commitment and promise behind the initiative: To plant is to hope, To restore is to heal, To protect is to love.

Archbishop Justin also visited the Anglican human rights charity, Cristosal, where he met with staff and heard the devastating testimonies of three women impacted in different ways. Cristosal focuses on victim advocacy, community development and peacebuilding. It comes alongside victims and provides practical assistance and protection when they need it most.