Archbishop Luis Escobar Alas Delivering Letter and Signatures.
SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador — In a significant show of public opposition to mining in El Salvador, Archbishop Luis Escobar Alas delivered a letter and 150,000 signatures to the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday, urging lawmakers to repeal the recently approved Metallic Mining Law.
“This is for the good of all,” declared Escobar Alas, warning that continuing mining activities would have devastating consequences. “It would be very sad, and the entire country would be affected.”
The archbishop arrived at the legislative Assembly with three boxes containing signatures collected from parishioners and supporters. The letter, he said, represents a collective demand from citizens—not a political institution.
“We hope the full Legislative Assembly takes this gesture into account—not from the Church, but from the people. We have simply accompanied them in this cause,” said Archbishop Escobar Alas outside the Blue Room Building.
Archbishop Alas remarked that no prior arrangements were made with any individual legislator to present the documents. “We didn’t want to follow the usual process because we want the request to be delivered directly to the plenary session without conditions,” he explained.
Escobar Alas emphasized the broader impact of mining on public health and the environment, highlighting risks to water sources, air quality, soil integrity, and both human and animal well-being.
“We are not motivated by political or economic interests, only by the common good,” he said.
Archbishop Escobar Alas informed that the letter, which will be made public on social media, expresses faith that “with God’s help,” El Salvador can pursue development through alternative means.
“We propose paths to economic, social, and cultural progress without harming human life,” the archbishop said. “We believe there is still time to repeal the law.”
The Salvadoran Catholic Church opposes metallic mining because of its harmful impact on the environment, public health, and the well-being of communities, prioritizing the protection of natural resources and people’s lives.
