Remembering an Apostle to the Suffering Poor of Central America

February 16, 2017

On February 13, 2017, the Lasallian community commemorated the 35th anniversary of the death of Brother James Alfred Miller, FSC, a Christian Brother from our Midwest District.  He was assassinated in Guatemala thirty-five years ago during a highly violent era throughout that country.  Lasallian ministries around the world remembered Brother James for his courage, generosity and commitment to students and to his fellow Christian Brothers.

Br. James Miller has deep connections to Cretin-Derham Hall.  During his formation in the1960s, he attended classes at Cretin, and was later assigned to teach Spanish and religion at Cretin after graduating from Saint Mary's University of Minnesota.  After his years at Cretin, Brother James went on to work in several areas in Central America where he worked tirelessly on behalf of the oppressed. He was recently named "Servant of God," which is the first of three steps of canonization. 

Remembering Brother James Miller, FSC

On the afternoon of February 13, 1982, while outside repairing a wall of the Casa Indigena De La Salle, Brother James was brutally shot seven times in the neck and check by several armed men.  He died instantly.  Attempts to identify the assassins were unsuccessful.  The reasons for Brother James Millers' death may lie in the relationship between the Brothers at the Indian Center and the Guatemalan army.  The government, to meet its quota of army conscripts, often rounded up Indian boys from the streets.

Even though students were exempt from military service, those from the Indian school were often forced into the army.  When that happened, a Brother would present proof to the authorities that the boy in question was a student.  The military would then reluctantly release him. 

Two days before the shooting of Brother James, a Mayan pupil was forced into the army.  Another Christian Brother went to the authorities to obtain his release. The military refused to relinquish their catch.  Adamant in his demands, the Brother infuriated them.  The murder of Brother James was probably meant as a warning to the Brothers to cease interfering in government affairs.

The Words of Brother James Miller, FSC

The days are often long, but I thoroughly enjoy my work with the Indian boys.  Through daily association, I have come to respect and love them all and to have a deep respect for the centuries of Mayan history and tradition that are their heritage...The Indians form about 50% of the country's population, but they are the poor, the oppressed, the forgotten ones of Guatemala.  Many of them are desperately poor, the majority is illiterate, and malnutrition and mortality are endemic...

I am personally weary of violence, but I continue to feel a strong commitment to the suffering poor of Central America...the Church is being persecuted because of its option for the poor.  Aware of numerous dangers and difficulties, we continue working with faith and hope and trusting in God's Providence.  I have been a Brother of the Christian Schools for nearly 20 years now, and commitment to my vocation grows steadily stronger in my work in Central America.  I pray to God for the grace and strength to serve Him faithfully among the poor and oppressed in Guatemala.  I place my life in His Providence.  I place my trust in Him.

Brother James Alfred Miller, FSC was killed at the age of 37, one month after writing those words.

Cretin-Derham Hall is dedicating Room A208 in Brother James' honor.  As a teacher at Cretin, Brother James taught in A208 between 1967-1970.  This was his only teaching assignment in the United States.