EL SALVADOR
The territory consists of an interior highland (averaging 600 m in height) with volcanoes, some still active, and a narrow coastal strip interrupted by lagoons. The climate is hot and humid on the coast, more temperate and healthy in the highlands. El Salvador is an agricultural country; its principal products are coffee, widely exported, sugar cane, cocoa, tobacco, agave, and recently cotton; cereals (maize and rice) meet domestic needs. The forests are rich in valuable essences; mineral resources (gold and silver) are modest. Industry, despite modern progress (textiles), has only local significance. It should be noted, however, that for its economic development El Salvador is the most advanced state in Central America.
The population (2,200,000 inhabitants) is 15% white, 10% Amerindian, and 75% mixed. Its density (60 per sq. km) is the highest in Central America. The only city with over 100,000 inhabitants is the capital, San Salvador. La Unión (10,000 inhabitants) is the principal port.
El Salvador is a unitary republic with a president renewable every six years and a legislative assembly elected by universal suffrage.
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### II. CIVIL AND ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY
At the time of the discovery of America and the subsequent Spanish penetration into the continental lands, the territory now known as El Salvador was inhabited by the Pipil, an Aztec people, whose capital Cuscatlán was occupied in 1525 by Pedro de Alvarado, who had entered the region from Mexico via Guatemala.
Three years later, Pedro’s brother, Gonzalo, founded the city of San Salvador not far from Cuscatlán. El Salvador then became part of the Captaincy General of Guatemala, whose jurisdiction extended over all the present-day republics of Central America (Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, San Guatemala) and the Mexican provinces of Chiapas and Yucatán.
**EL SALVADOR** — 1) State boundaries; 2) railways.
Evangelization among the Indian tribes was immediately undertaken by the Dominicans and Franciscans, the latter converting them from their convent founded in San Salvador in 1547. Ecclesiastically, El Salvador was dependent on the bishop of Guatemala, suffragan to the archbishop of Mexico until 1743, when it was elevated to an archbishopric. The end of Spanish rule in America marked the beginning of a turbulent period in El Salvador’s history. Incorporated into Mexico in 1822, following the fall of Emperor Iturbide, El Salvador joined the Central American Confederation the following year, which struggled on amid constant threats of dissolution until 1839, when it finally dissolved. With the proclamation of the independent Republic of El Salvador, the Holy See established the diocese on 28 September 1842, which was elevated to an archbishopric in 1913, with two new suffragan sees, Santa Ana and San Miguel, under its jurisdiction. On 22 April 1862, Cardinal Antonelli and Fernando de Lorenzana, Marquis of Belmonte and plenipotentiary minister of the Republic, concluded a Concordat in Rome by which the Catholic religion was recognized as the state religion and full freedom for its exercise was guaranteed throughout the Republic. Furthermore, bishops were assured full freedom of communication with the Holy See and the faculty to govern and administer their dioceses without interference from state authorities in ecclesiastical matters. However, the Concordat was never fully implemented, chiefly due to the unsettled internal conditions of the Republic and almost continuous conflicts with neighboring Guatemala. The situation improved significantly in the new century. Indeed, until 1931 there were no further successful revolutionary attempts.
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### III. LEGAL STATUS OF THE CHURCH
The recent Constitution, promulgated on 14 September 1950, recognizes the juridical personality of the Catholic Church (Art. 161), while other churches may receive recognition on a case-by-case basis.
However, all modifications introduced by the 1945 constitutional charter in favor of the Church have been abolished. For example, no mention is made of the Catholic religion as that professed by the vast majority of the people. Ministers of any cult are forbidden from belonging to political parties or holding public office (Art. 24). Likewise, the establishment of contemplative orders within the national territory is prohibited (Art. 156), and there are restrictions on the right of property of religious bodies and congregations (Art. 140). Since 1882, civil marriage has taken precedence over religious marriage; the Civil Code facilitates divorce; illegitimate children are fully equated with legitimate ones. This legislation contributes significantly to the lamentable state of the family institution in El Salvador. Article 201 reaffirms the secular nature of schools, which had been suppressed by the constitutional reform decree of 1945, and the position of private schools has also become less favorable, as they are now subject to state regulation and inspection; moreover, the state may exclusively assume the training of teachers (Art. 202). The Constitution further stipulates that private schools may not refuse to admit a pupil on the grounds of illegitimacy (Art. 202). Other legislative provisions, from 1926 for secondary schools and from 1939 also for primary schools, require that 80% of teachers be Salvadoran. These provisions, which would be seriously prejudicial to colleges run by religious personnel, are not strictly enforced.
In the appointment of bishops, the government of El Salvador has no right of interference or any form of patronage.
Relations between the Holy See and the Republic of El Salvador are normal. Diplomatic relations exist between the two parties, with a reunited Apostolic Nunciature accredited to the government of El Salvador and an ambassador to the Holy See.
Since 1935, the papal representation in El Salvador has been united, in the person of its incumbent, with that of Guatemala.
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### IV. EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM
It must be acknowledged that the Republic of El Salvador is making commendable and effective efforts to improve both the level of education and training of its people and the treatment of the teaching profession.
The elementary school covers 6 years; in 1951 there were 1,520 schools (with a marked tendency to increase significantly), run by 3,700 teachers with 11,000 pupils. The secondary school, called “Cinque corsi di scienze e lettere,” covers 5 years; in 1951 there was 1 normal school and 22 vocational schools, with a total of 2,336 pupils. It confers the title of baccalaureate and with this opens access to the University. The latter is established in the capital, is equipped with five faculties, and is attended by 900 students.
Noteworthy is the “Fattoria di riabilitazione di Rafael Campo” for the rehabilitation of juvenile delinquents, in which the most recent experiments are carried out both in the field of agriculture and in that of re-education, taking into account the environment and the character of those being re-educated in order to better prepare them for the social circumstances in which they will return to live. Likewise, it is worth noting the impetus given to facilitate the reading of books and documentation by creating new public libraries and expanding existing ones; all with free lending.
The sums allocated for culture and popular education represent 13.5% of the State’s general budget.