Romano inspires love and service

Friends, co-workers and activists remembered the 28th year anniversary of the involuntary disappearance of Fr. Rosaleo “Rudy” Romano, CSsR.
Brother Karl Gaspar, CssR, director of Redemptorist Center for Social and Ecological Concern said Fr. Romano’s “abduction and disappearance gave the people encouragement to fight for their human rights too.”
He said that the late Father Romano will be introduced to the young generation as a person who followed and lived the advocacy of Pope Francis which is to love and serve the poor.
Members of the Redemptorist community led a wreath laying in the commemorative marker in San Jose corner Katipunan Street, barangay Tisa, Cebu City, where Fr. Romano, an activist priest was abducted in 1985.
They sang “Ayaw Kahadlok” [Don’t be afraid] and “Pagtahan” [Surrender] while lighting candles in the marker installed by the city government of Cebu on July 11, 1986.
The priest is one of the thousands who involuntarily disappeared during the Marcos dictatorship.
Last Sunday, Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma’s statement on Father Romano was read in masses throughout the archdiocese.
Palma exhorted Cebu parishes, religious communities and schools to make the people aware of the life and advocacies of disappeared and abducted priest.
After the wreath laying, a tour followed in the Redemptorist compound in Elizabeth Pond Street, where Romano lived.
Fr. Romeo Urbach, CSsR, lead the tour which featured room 101 of the Redemptorist dormitory, the late priest’s living quarters. Displayed in the room are things and mementos of the priest. Romano whose body was never found was presumed dead in 2000.
Father Urbach said they plan to establish a museum where Fr. Romano’s works and life can be best remembered.
Urbach told Cebu Daily News that “Although we are still seeking for justice, the truth will still prevail and to let everybody know what really happened the day after he disappeared.”
Romano traced his roots in Villareal, Samar. His father was a former mayor of Villareal and his mother owned a grocery store.
Joining yesterday’s commemoration were members of Sanlakas Partylist, Task Force Detainees of the Philippines and Bayan.
For activist Jose Aaron Pedrosa Jr. of Sanlakas Partylist, Father Romano is an inspiration to them especially in the fight for human rights.
Fr. Romano, a former vice-president for Visayas of BAYAN was allegedly abducted by the elements of Military Intelligence Group (MIG) along Katipunan St. in Tisa , Labangon, Cebu City, on July 11, 1985.
A ‘Mass to Remember Fr. Rudy Romano’ was celebrated in the Redemptorist Church at 5:30 p.m. yesterday. A short program followed after the Mass.