Loyola University Chicago

Amando López Quintana, S.J. Born: February 6, 1939, in Spain López was a natural communicator with a passion for helping others. He entered the Society of Jesus in 1952 and would go on to study philosophy and classical humanities—and ultimately earn a doctorate in theology in France.   •   López returned to El Salvador to teach for a few years at the University of Central America before moving to Nicaragua. He returned to UCA in 1983 and eventually became the chair of the Philosophy Department. In his final years at UCA, he oversaw the campus's buildings and vegetable gardens.   •   Beyond the walls of UCA, López was the pastor of Tierra Virgen in the community of Soyapango. He also was an advocate for the nationwide literacy campaign headed by Fernando Cardenal, S.J., that reached hundreds of thousands of Salvadorans.

Ignacio Ellacuría, S.J. Born: November 9, 1930, in Spain As a teenage seminarian in El Salvador, Ellacuría was known as the "Sun King" for his compelling presence. He would go on to study classical language, humanities, and philosophy in Ecuador before completing his doctoral studies in Spain. He also received an honorary degree from Loyola in 1986, just three years before he was murdered.   •   Ellacuría, who was the rector of the University of Central America, was a proponent of liberation theology and one of the loudest advocates for peace negotiations during El Salvador's civil war. He acted as an informal mediator between the guerrilla fighting forces Frente Farabundo Martí para la Liberación Nacional (FMLN) and the Salvadoran government, which made him an enemy of the far right.   •   Despite several threats to his life, Ellacuría continued to work for peace and the rights of innocent Salvadorans until his death.

Segundo Montes Mozo, S.J. Born: May 15, 1933, in Spain Known as "Zeus" because of his long beard and tall build, Montes became a prominent figure in the intellectual community with his forceful and fiery energy. He entered the Society of Jesus in 1950 at the age of 17 and completed his novitiate at Santa Tecla, El Salvador, in 1951.   •   Over the next several years Montes taught physics, studied in Austria, and earned a doctorate in social anthropology in Spain. He returned to El Salvador in 1978 to become the chair of the Sociology Department at the University of Central America.   •   Like Ellacuría, Montes was a staunch advocate for the poor—and as such, he became a target of the political right. After "Death to the Communists of UCA" was painted on his car, Montes was asked about his safety. He simply said: "If they kill me, they kill me."

Juan Ramón Moreno Pardo, S.J. Born: August 29, 1933, in Spain Moreno was a scholar, theologian, and key figure in the development of the University of Central America. He entered the Society of Jesus when he was in his early twenties and studied classical humanities in Ecuador. He then taught chemistry at the Jesuit College of Granada in Nicaragua.   •   It was not until 1965 that Moreno continued his own studies at St. Louis University in Missouri, where he earned a degree in theology. He then traveled to Rome to study Ignatian spirituality and to train young Jesuits. He eventually ended up in Panama, where he helped found the Ignatian Center of Central America.   •   In 1985 the Society sent him to UCA, and while he was there he organized the theological library, which would become one of the finest in all of El Salvador.

Joaquín López y López, S.J. Born: August 16, 1918, in El Salvador The oldest of the eight people killed, López was the only slain Jesuit who was born in El Salvador. He earned several degrees as a student in Texas and was ordained a priest in 1952 when he took his vows to the Society of Jesus.   •   López eventually returned to his native El Salvador and contributed to the University of Central America, but not as a professor. When engineering professor Jon Cortina, S.J., left to work among the repopulated communities of Chalatenango, López stepped in and took charge of the university's administration.   •   In 1969 López helped bring the Fe y Alegría (Faith and Joy) foundation to El Salvador to educate marginalized children, teens, and adults. Despite poor health, López dedicated much of his time and energy to the organization until his death at age 71.

Celina Ramos and Elba Ramos. Elba born: March 5, 1947, in El Salvador; Celina born: February 21, 1973, in El Salvador Elba Ramos was a cook and housekeeper at the University of Central America, and her husband, Obdulio, was a watchman and gardener at the college. Their daughter Celina was a high school student.   •   The family originally lived in a separate house on the UCA campus, but fearing for their safety, Elba and Celina moved into an empty room at the Jesuits' residence. The two were murdered in cold blood because the Salvadoran army did not want to leave any witnesses.   •   Obdulio found all eight bodies the following morning. He planted a circle of six red rose bushes for the Jesuits and two yellow rose bushes in the center of the circle for his wife and daughter. The roses still grow today.