Retrieving the Eucharist under Fire

By Patrick Cucci

[1] The scene in which Archbishop Romero and his colleague return to the military-occupied church to retrieve the Eucharist is one that bears great significance. Romero’s short stint as archbishop was witness to overwhelming amounts of political unrest. Those who chose to oppose the radical right wing were labeled Marxist communists (targeted for execution), and it was because of this that the Catholic higher-ups felt comfortable with Romero’s appointment as archbishop. As long as Romero did not provoke any ill attention towards the Catholic Church, then the important religious leaders felt safe and continued to support the government. At the very least they felt assured that Romero was politically distant enough that he would not cause a stir. But as Romero became less naïve and more aware of his political duties to the lower class of El Salvador, it also became increasingly more difficult to balance his responsibilities to this helpless group while rallying support from his more powerful religious colleagues.

[2] Unfortunately, the Salvadorian lower class was left to bear the weight of this political torment. This scene is a quintessential moment for Romero as an Archbishop to both vocally and physically lead his people. The two men walk into the building filled with army personnel, and Romero informs the Lieutenant that he is there to “take care of the Eucharist.” In response, the officer turns and unloads his machine gun upon the altar, shattering the Tabernacle where the Eucharist resides, along with the Crucifix. Father Romero’s reaction is one of utter shock. For Romero, this violent confrontation proves to be entirely overwhelming, so he and his friend turn in shame and walk out of the Church. The most important moment, though, soon follows once they stand in front of the church patrons.

[3] Romero’s friend, with his head down in his chest, slumps into the car while Romero stands and stares at his people. The director’s choice to pan towards the crowd deliberately personifies Romero’s perspective, as he stands there looking at them. The crowd’s collective look of shock, fear, and disbelief is drawn on their faces. In this moment, the director has again deliberately chosen to strip away the voices of the crowd. Not a single person makes an attempt to express a reaction to what has happened in the church building. This emphasis of a voiceless mass of people is what ultimately inspires action on Romero’s behalf. For the first time as Archbishop, Romero shows some defiance towards the government, which contradicts his normal disposition as a timid man throughout the film. He barges back into the Church and picks up the Eucharist while bullets fly over his head. The Eucharist for Romero and Catholics alike represents the actual body and blood of Christ, so retrieving it and putting himself in harm’s way is worth the trouble. As well, the Eucharist represents the El Salvadorian people’s dignity. The only way these people can truly be liberated is rooted in their ability to relieve themselves from religious persecution by their political counterparts.

[4] Romero then leaves in the car with his friend but momentarily returns to the square where the crowd is congregated. Now that Romero has his prayer shawl on the crowd understands that together they will enter the church as a united group to retake possession of the building. It is important to understand here that it was a large following of people that believed in Romero, unlike before. For the audience to see this collectively helpless group of people defy the powerful soldiers is emotionally inspiring. It is as if to say that the generally accepted notion of a separation of church and state is utterly defied. A large reason as to why the poor crowd has regained control of this building is because they were able to connect on a certain level with Romero and believe that he was worthy of their trust in him.

[5] The soldiers, who at first draw up their weapons, lower them as the crowd walks past. This is representative of the fact that even some of the soldiers themselves were ordinary men, just as Father Osuna had mentioned while walking with Grande and Morantes earlier in the film, and just like Romero himself. They too could have had religious values and morals, but they succumbed to taking orders from a higher power within the El Salvadorian government.

[6] Romero’s speech on the Church altar then acts as a type of official declaration for the people having reclaimed the building. Looking from Romero’s perspective, it can be seen that now, finally, the Church body fully believes in Romero. Raul Julia no longer represents Romero as timid, looking down at the ground and shying away from confrontation like earlier. Romero goes on to say:

"You are the Church. You are the people of God. You are Jesus, in the here and now. He is crucified in you, just as surely as He was crucified, two thousand years ago, on that hill outside of Jerusalem. And you should know that your pain and your suffering, like His, will contribute to El Salvador’s liberation and redemption."

[7] Their faces, once covered with sorry looks, are now proud and encouraged because of their spiritual leader. Having reclaimed this Church is crucial to Romero’s progression as the archbishop. People now recognize him not as a passive bookworm but as a leader worth following and believing in.