Fr. Gerardo Poter

With a bloody civil war destroying families and much of Salvadoran society, and with most men drafted by either the army or the guerrillas, Salvadoran women, children, and the elderly were left to fend for themselves. This led to thousands of broken families. As the Salvadoran Army began bombing the countryside, many people fled into the city of San Salvador, which was considered safer. They found shelter at the Colonia 22 de Abril, which had been settled on the site of a garbage dump on April 22, 1971 by 500 poor families who had been driven out of the capital city of San Salvador. They were joined by Salvadoran refugees who were returning from Honduras, accompanied by a Dominican missionary priest from Germany, Fr. Gerardo Poter.

With the development of a connection between Fr. Gerardo and Fr. Fahey, the Saint Clement community established itself in a sister relationship with the people of Colonia 22 de Abril.

This relationship has been strengthened over the years by parishioners who have traveled often to Colonia 22 de Abril to meet our brothers and sisters.  

 Through the leadership of Fr. Gerardo and with the support of foreign churches like Saint Clement, the community was able to establish the Jean Donovan Association. This foundation manages a pre-school, a primary school, a "school under the sky," a folk art workshop, a finca where coffee is grown, a chicken farm, and a health clinic. All these provide working and learning opportunities and improved health for people in 22 de Abril. They have had our strong spiritual support, as well as consistent financial support through the Clement Commits program.

When Fr. Gerardo retired five years ago, the Dominicans turned the parish church Inmaculada Concepción over to the Archdiocese of San Salvador. Today the parish church is led by Fr. Santos Belisario, a young and dedicated Salvadoran diocesan priest whose main focus is working with the youth of the neighborhood in collaboration with the Jean Donovan Association.

On December 26, 2012, it will be 25 years to the day since Saint Clement parishioners first visited El Salvador. Our commitment to our sisters and brothers affected by poverty at the Colonia 22 de Abril in Soyapango is stronger than ever. Annual trips to the neighborhood serve to strengthen the bond of unity and solidarity with those whom our community first chose to accompany on their journey a quarter-century ago.

I am grateful to all our parishioners who over the years have responded generously with their time and resources to maintain this relationship alive and well. I invite you to join us December 5 at 7 p.m. in Fireside Hall as we celebrate 25 years of solidarity. The evening will be an opportunity to share stories from our trips over the years and welcome Fr. Francisco Rodriguez, the first priest to be ordained from our sister parish.

In gratitude for these 25 years,

Fr. Ken Simpson