catholicPittsburgh.org

by John Houk

According to the norms of the Roman Catholic Church there is to be one crucifix in the front of the church during liturgy. The crucifix provides us with a visual reminder that Jesus was a victim of torture at the hands of the prevailing authorities. The crucifix can also remind us that torture exists in our world today, and that the governments of the world are primarily responsible for the torture that exist today just as they were in the time of Jesus.

Sr. Diana Ortiz, an American nun, writes about being the victim of torture in her book titled The Blindfolds Eye (Orbis Books, 2002). In 1989 she was a missionary in Guatemala when she was abducted and brutally tortured. She documents her trip through hell and back at the hands of government security forces. Convinced that our own government was complicit in her torture, Sr. Diana is now active in bringing the reality of torture in our time into the public eye. “This is one of the most amazing human journeys I have ever read” (Sr. Helen Prejean, author, Dead Man Walking).

Amnesty International calls Sr. Diana’s book “An invaluable gift to the human rights movement.” Amnesty International statistics indicate that more than 150 governments engage in torture or ill-treatment. Recent news stories indicate that there are people in our own country today who are advocating for torture, and it has been allowed to take place under the eyes of our own military. These images of torture have been posted on computer screens, walls and billboards around the world.

Torture did not end with the Roman Empire nor with the Inquisition. Torture exists today. For lent we may wish to remember today's victims of torture when we see the crucifix in the front of church. Lent may also be the time to read Sr. Diana’s book or to join with her and Amnesty International to bring the reality of torture into the light of day.