COLLEGE CHIEF'S RELICS HONOUR
http://www.lancashireeveningtelegraph.co.uk/display.var.1169937.0.coll
ege_chiefs_relics_honour.php

By Telegraph newsdesk

THE curator of Stonyhurst College, near Clitheroe, has been invited
to advise on the conservation of artefacts worn by a leading Catholic
figure.

Jan Graffius is to travel to San Salvador to help the newly-formed
Romero Trust which preserves the memory of Monseñor Oscar Romero,
assassinated as he celebrated Mass in 1980.

San Salvador is the capital of central American country El Salvador
and Jan will give advice on how to conserve and display the few
belongings in the Archbishop's rooms, which were left untouched after
his death.

Oscar Romero was appointed Archbishop of San Salvador in 1977 as
civil war raged.

Romero tried to give a "voice to the voiceless" and set up a radio
station which broadcasted his sermons to a huge audience - the only
uncensored voice in El Salvador.

However, after one broadcast addressing the country's soldiers, he
was shot dead.

Jan, who looks after the many Catholic relics and important artefacts
at the Jesuit College in the Ribble Valley, said: "It is a great
honour to be selected to help conserve the possessions of this most
inspiring man.

"The huge numbers of pilgrims who come to pay their respects and pray
at the site of his death, and in his rooms, inevitably have an effect
on the condition of these precious relics.

"I hope to assist in their preservation, making them accessible to
future pilgrims."

12:47pm Monday 5th February 2007