ARCHBISHOP ROMERO TRUST (Registered Charfty No. 1110069) ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2024
ARCHBISHOP ROMERO TRUST REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2024 Registered charity number 111(K)69 Registered office PO Box 70227 London E9 9BR Postal address 57 Lyme Grove London E9 6PX Trustees Dr. Julian Filochowski CMG, OBE {Co-Chair) Mr. Stephen Davies (Co-chair) Ms. Clare Dixon OBE (Co-chair) Mr. Michael Egan {Treasur) Rev. Richard Carter Dr. Janet Graffius Rt. Rev. Nicholas Hudson Sister Eileen McLoughlin SSHJM Rev. James O'Keefe Mr. David Skidmore OBE Rev. Dr. Frank Turner SJ Membership secretary Ms. Jenny Rossiter Patrons Archbishop Leo Cushley Sister Maria Julia Garcia Very Rev. Dr. John Hall Archbishop Emeritus Diarmuid Martin Cardinal Vincent Nichols Lord John Sentamu Mgr. Rafael Urrutia Lord Rowan Williams Website v4ww.romerotrust.o Contact us at romerotrust mail.com
ARCHBISHOP ROMEROTRUST TRUSTEES. REPORT YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2024 The trustees present the 20th Annual Report of the Archbishop Romero Trust for the year ended 5 April 2024. Objectives The purposes of the Trust are: al to advance the education of the public in the life and works of Oscar Romero, the martyred Archbishop of San Salvador, and his principles of human rights, social justice and the relief of poverty: bl to advance religion by promoting liturgical celebrations including commemorations of the life of Oscar Romero and prayer for the recognition of his sanctity in the Christian Church; and c) the relief of poverty and the promotion of human rights and social justice {as set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and subsequent United Nations Conventions and Declarations and in Goudium etspes, the Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World of the Second Vatican Council) in Latin America in memory of Oscar Romero. Actlvitles and achievements On 8 July 2023 the joint CAFOD-Rornero Trust pilgrimage to Lindisfarne took place with 40 pilgrims walking across the sands while the tide was out. Others arrived in motor vehicles, making a total of some 120 present for the tslks and the closing liturgical celebration in the island's St Mary's Anglican Church. Similar pilgrimages were fixed for tide-friendly dates in 2024 and 2025. On 28 September 2023 a special Ecumenical Vespers was organised in St George's Cathedral, th Southwark, to mark the 10 anniversary of the dedication of the St Oscar Romero Shrine there. The Romero Trust had been closely involved in the design, erection and funding of the Shrine. This celebratory occasion happily coincided with the upgrading of the Romero chapel from a Diocesan to a National Shrine and the rotation of the Romero Cross into a more prominent Position in the cathedral. Archbishop John Wilson presided at the Ser¥ice and the Romero Trust Patron, Sirjohn Hall, Emeritus Dean of Westminster Abbey, was the preacher. Subsequently, the Trust assisted in the draftins and design of simple guides and educational materials for adult and school visitors to the Shrine. In October 2023 Jan Graffius and Julian Filochowski travelled to San Salvador to inspect and carry out a deep-clean of the relics in Romero's bungalow home at the D5vine Providence cancer hospital and of the relics and belongings of the Jesuit martyrs at the Central American University. The expert consultancy advicethatwas offered wassupplemented with the provision to both centres of museum- grade environmental monitorsto measure temperature, UV light and humidity in the rooms and cases where these relics are displayed. Once again at the invitation of the Dean, on Sunday4 February 2024 a Service of Choral Evensong with a special focus on Archbishop Romero took place in St Alban's Cathedral at which Archbishop John Wilson preached.
ARCHBISHOP ROMEROTRUST TRUSTEES, REPORT (continued) YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2024 'Prayerful and Prophetic Resilience in the Face of Injustice - Archbishops Oscar Romero and Denis Hurley, was the theme chosen by the Trust for Romero Week in March 2024. In conjunction with local parishes and networks the Trust coordinated the arrangements for a series of meetings and celebratory liturgies in Exeter, Glasgow, Wigan and Leeds. They were co-sponsored by CAFOD, SCIAF, Missio, Christian Aid, Pax Christi, Jesuit Missions, and the National Justice and Peace Network. The guest speaker was Raymond Perrier, Director of the Denis Hurley Centre in Durban, South Africa. He has campaigned over many years both in Britain and in Africa for social justice and the needs of the poorest of the poor. Hi5 British tour culminated with a live-streamed Address at the National Ecumenical Service to commemorate the martyrdom of Romero at the Church of St Martin-in-the- Fields on 16 March 2024. The Address was later posted on the Trust website. The following week, Jan Graffius spoke in Wigan and Glasgow with a similar focus on 'Resilience in the Face of Injustice Romero and the Jesuit Martyrs,. On 20 March 2024 Archbishop Wilson presided at the lunchtime Eucharist in St George's Cathedral. Organised in conjunction with the Diocesan Education Commission and the Oscar Romero Award Trust, the Service included visits by class groups to the cathedral's Romero Shrine and the presentation of Oscar Romero Award certificates to qualifying schools in the diocese. A series of guided Romero Walks in Central London have been designed by Jenny Rossiter. They last up to two hours and include St George's Cathedral, Westminster Abbey and other stops along the routes where there are links to the Romero story. A 'dummy run, was arranged early in 2024 with outings for 2025 to be publicised by the Trust. Communicatlons In late 2023 agreement was reached with the distributor of the Spanish film What Lucia Saw,, which portrays the 1989 assassination at the UCA university in San Salvador of the six Jesuit priests and two women. This allows the film, with its English subtitles, to be accessed on the Trust's website for a period of 4-5 years. On 22 May 2023 a well-attended showing of the film was organised by the Trust at the Jesuit parish in Glasgow. The Trust has frequent posts on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter coordinated by Stephen Davies. These posts often include quotations from St Oscar Romero's Sunday homilies and so enable a wider audience to become aware of the richness of the saint's reflections. The social media posts offer links to the Trust's website whenever appropriate. There are approximately 2,400 members of the Romero Trust Facebook Group, around 3,0(X) followers on X {ft>rmerly Twitter) and 1,000 on Instagram - representing a substantial increase on the previous year. The 32. and 33 issues of Romero News, the Trusvs twice-yearly newsletter edited by Clare Dixon, were distributed by post and email to some 9CM) 'Friends of Rornero, in September 2023 and January 2024.
ARCHBISHOP ROMERO TRUST TRUSTEES. REPORT (continued) YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2024 Financial review With the assistance of the Carmelite Friars in Britain, the parish of St James the Great in Petts Wood and other individual donors, the Trust made grants totalling £9,80812023- £6,784) to the Divine Providence Cancer Hospital in San Salvador. These grants have been used to purchase an environmental monitor to facilitate the conservation of the Romero relics at the hospital, an urgently needed replacement autoclave steriliser and a new pump for the hospital's water 5YStem. The Trust made an additional grant of £13,737 to the hospital, from an earmarked legacy left by the late Michael Lewis, for the construction of a new covered entrance way to the hospital building. Total income for the year came to £26,075 (2023: £21,686), comprisin8 restricted income earmarked for specific programmes of £15,333 (2023: £6,663) and unrestricted income of £10,742 {2023: £15,023). Unrestricted expenditure amounted to £11,84512023: £18,572), giving a deficit forthe year in unrestricted funds of £1,103 {2023: deficit of £3,549). The balance sheet as at 5 April 2024 shows total funds held of £17,273 (2023: £28,588), comprising restricted funds tot3llin8 £12,53212023: £22.744) and unrestricted funds of £4,741 {2023: £5,844). The Trust needs to hold reserves (i.e. unrestricted funds) to be able to continue to meet its obligations and deliver its programme of attivities even in the event of a delay orshortfall in funding. The trustees estimate that reserves of not less than £5,(KK) are required to provide adequate mitigation against such risks; this estimate is reviewed as the programme of activities develops. Reserves as at 5 April 2024 amount to £4,741, slightly less than the policy requirement. The Trustees continue to exercise careful oversight of the Trust's activities and commitments so that the Trust remains financially resilient. Structure, governance and management Archbishop Romero Trust is a registered charity, number Ill69. It is govemed by a Trust Deed executed on 6 september 2CKN amended by a deed of varlaiion dated 9 June 2005. The Trust employs no staff and its actNities are carried out entirely by trustees and other volunteers. The trustees met four times during the financial year. Following a review of board responsibilities, the trustees elected Julian Filochowski, Stephen Davies and Clare Dixon as co-chairsforthe period October 2022 to September 2024. In makin8 decisions and exercising their powers, the trustees have had due regard to the Charity Commission's public benefit guidance. By roftheB rd Julian Filochowski Co-chair 24 October 2024
ARCHBISHOP ROMERO TRUST INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2024 I report to the trustees on the accounts of Archbishop Romero Trust ('the Trusv) for the year ended 5 April 2024 set out on pages 6 to 10. Respective responslblllties of the trustees and examlner The chariWs trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year I'under section 144{2) of the Charitie5 Att 2011 (the 2011 Act)) and that an independent examination is required. It is my responsibility to: examine the accounts under Section 145 of the 2011 Act; to follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given bythe Charity Commission (under Section 145{51{b) of the 2011 Attl; and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basls of the Independent examlnerfs report My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Dlrections given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accountin8 records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seekin8explanations from you as trustees concerning such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whetherthe accounts present a true and falrvlew and the report is Ilmited to those matters set out in the statements below. Independent examlnerfs statement In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention: which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material aspert, the requirements to keep accounting records in accordance with Section 130 of the 2011 Act: and to prepare accounts which accord with accounting records and to comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act. have not been met; or 2. to which, in myopinion, attention should be drawn in orderto enable a proper understanding ofth counts to be reached. A.N. Cliffe Nicholas Cliffe & Co. Limited Mill House, Mill Court Great Shelford Cambridge C822 5LD 24 October2024
ARCHBISHOP ROMERO TRUST STATEMENT OF FINANCIALACTIVMES YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2024 Year ended S April 2024 Unrest- ricted Year ended 5 April 2023 Unrest- rlrted Rest- rlcted Rest- rlcted Note Totsi Total Incomlng resources: Donations Grants Sale of books 12,333 7,933 20,266 3,663 13,600 17,263 3,000 1,423 2,809 2,809 1,423 Total 15,333 10,742 26,075 6,663 15,023 21,686 Outgolng expenditure: Grants Promotion of Romero's name Administration and governance 23,545 23,545 42,313 3,590 45,903 10,720 12,720 324 14,140 14,464 1,125 1,12S 842 Total 25,545 11,845 37,390 42,637 18,572 61,209 Deficit {10,212) {1,103) (11,315) (35,974) (3,549) 139,5231 Funds brought forward 22,744 28,588 58,718 9,393 68,111 Funds carried forward 12,532 4,741 17,273 22,744 5,844 28,588 The notes on pages 8 to 10 form part of these financial statements.
ARCHBISHOP ROMEROTRUST BALANCE SHEET 5 APRIL 2024 5 Aprfl 2024 Totsl 5 April 2023 Total Rest- ricted Unrest- rirted Rest- rlcted Unrest- rirted Note Assets: Cash at bank 12,532 4,741 17,273 22,744 5,844 28,588 Restrlcted funds: Hospital Divina Providencia Hospital Legacy Project 9,311 9,311 5,786 5,786 3,221 3,221 16,958 16,958 Total restrlrted funds 12,532 12,532 22,744 22,744 Unrestricted funds 4,741 4,741 5,844 5,844 Total funds 12,532 4,741 17,273 22,744 5,844 28,588 The notes on pages 8 to 10 form part of these financial statements. Approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by Michael Egan Treasurer 24 October 2024
ARCHBISHOP ROMERO TRUST NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2024 l. Accounting polices Basis of preparation The accounts are prepared on a cash basis. Having reviewed the financial position and future plans for the charity, the trustees have identified no material uncertainties related to events or conditions that cast significant doubt on the charity's ability to continue its activities for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, they continue to adopt a going concern basis in preparing the accounts. Fund accounting Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees. Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when fvnds are raised for particular restricted purposes. Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the accounts. 2. Grants received Year ended 5 April 2024 Unrest- rirted Year ended S April 2023 Unrest- ricted Rest- rlcted Rest- rfcted Totsl Total Carmelite Province of GB 3,000 3,CM)O 3. Grants paid Year ended 5 Aprll 2024 Unrest- rlcted Year ended 5 April 2023 Unrest- ricted Rest- rlcted Rest- ricted Totsl Total Hospital Divina Providencia Hospital Legacy Fe y Alegria School, La Chacra St. Romero for Everyone 9,808 13,737 9,808 13,737 6,784 32,785 724 2,020 6,784 32,785 724 5,610 3,590 23,545 23,545 42,313 3,590 45,903
ARCHBISHOP ROMERO TRUST NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (contlnued) YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2024 4. Promotion of Romero's name Year ended 5 April 2024 Unrest- rirted Year ended 5 April 2023 Unrest- rlcted Rest. rirted Rest- rlcted Total Total Events and memorial services Romero News Purchase of books Film licence Publicity materials Website and digital archive Travel and subsistence 562 2,603 2,361 2,530 730 895 1.039 562 2,603 2,361 4,530 730 895 1,039 324 2,373 2,747 2,697 2,747 1,544 730 328 6,418 730 328 6,418 10,720 12,720 324 14,140 14,464 5. Admlnlstratlon and governance Year ended 5 April 2024 Unrest- rfrted Year ended 5 April 2023 Unrest- rlrted Rest- ricted Rest- rirted Total Total Postage and stationery 446 250 86 343 446 250 86 343 472 295 75 472 295 75 Telephone Governance costs 1,125 1,125 842 842 6. Movements on restrlcted funds 6 April 2023 5 Aprll 2024 Receipts Payments Transfers 2023-24: Hospital Divina Providencia Hospital Legacy Project Film licence 5,786 16,958 13.333 (9,808) {13,737) {2,[0) 9,311 3,221 Total restricted funds 22,744 15,333 {25,545) 12,532
ARCHBISHOP ROMERO TRUST NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued) YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2024 6. Movements on restricted funds {continued) 6 Aprll 2022 5 Aprfl 2023 Recelpts Payments Transfers 2022-23: Hospital Divina Providencia Hospital Legacy Project Fe y Alegria School, La Chacra Jesuit Fund for Social Justice Romero Solar Park St. Romero for Everyone 6,707 49,743 724 324 1,220 5,863 (6,784) (32,785) {724) {324) 5,786 16,958 (1,220) 1,220 (2,020) Total restricted funds 58,718 6,663 {42,637) 22,744 Hospltal Dlvina Pmvldencio: to support the running costs of the 'Hospitalito' for palliative patient care and the upkeep of the Romero relics pilgrim centre. Hospltal Legacy Projert: from the estate of the late Michael Lewis, for the benefit of the 'Hospitalito'. Grants from this fund in 2022-23 paid forthe purchase and installation of 80 solar panels forthe roots of the hospital buildings, which should generate enough power to meet 90% of the hospital's needs. Fllm licence: for the right to show the film 'What Lucia sa on our website for fwe years. Fe yAlegrla School. La Chocro: to support children's education in one of the poorest regions of El Salvador. Jesuit Fundfvr Sociol Justice: to support the costs of the March 2022 Romero week activities. Romemsolar Park: to support the establishment of a renewable energy facility in the district of Chalatenango, El Salvador. As this project has been indefinitely postponed, the original donors (Jesuit Missions) agreed that the balance of thls fund can be transferred to the St. Rornero for Everyone fund. St Romem for Everyone." to support the canonisation office of the Archdiocese of San Salvador in creating an online application, which will gather and make publicly available all relevant written and audio material concerning the canoni5ation of Archbishop Romero and the causes of the martyrs of El Salvador. io