by The Rev. Canon JJ Bernal, Canon for Border Ministry
Today’s article for Hispanic Heritage Month is about Archbishop Óscar Arnulfo Romero, one of the most recent saints and recognized persons in Latin America and the world. He inspired not only a movement within the Roman Catholic Church, but his Christian testimony of commitment has a large impact on many Christian denominations, and many countries have him also as an example human rights fighter.
Romero was the first Salvadoran to be raised to the altar; the first martyred archbishop of America, the first to be declared a martyr after the Second Vatican Council; and the first native saint of Central America. Romero had already been included on the Episcopal Church’s Calendar, the Anglican Church’s list of official saints, and the Lutheran Church‘s liturgical calendar as well.
Archbishop Óscar Arnulfo Romero (1917-1980), was a fighter for human rights, the poor, and the people of El Salvador before his assassination in 1980. In 2005, The Episcopal Church of the United States suggested to the Anglican world to include him in our Saints as the day of Monsignor Romero and the martyrs of El Salvador.
On Oct. 14, 2018, Archbishop Romero was canonized as a saint in the Roman Catholic Church by Pope Francis. His statue is included in the Washington National Cathedral’s Human Rights Porch, alongside Eleanor Roosevelt, Bishop John Walker, Mother Teresa, and others. His statue was sculpted by Barry Johnson and carved by Vince Palumbo.
As an archbishop, he witnessed numerous violations of human rights and began a ministry speaking out on behalf of the poor and victims of the country’s civil war. His brand of political activism was denounced by the hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church and the government of El Salvador. In 1980, he was assassinated by gunshot while consecrating the Eucharist during mass. His death finally provoked an international outcry for human rights reform in El Salvador.
Collect: Almighty God, you called your servant Óscar Romero to be a voice for the voiceless poor, and to give his life as a seed of freedom and a sign of hope: Grant that we, inspired by his sacrifice and the example of the martyrs of El Salvador, may without fear or favor witness to your Word who abides, your Word who is Life, even Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be praise and glory now and forever. Amen.
Archbishop Oscar Romero faced many controversies during his life, including:
- Liberation theology
- Defense of the Human Rights of the most vulnerable
Romero’s affinity for liberation theology made him a target of suspicion from the Catholic establishment. Some believed he was more inspired by Karl Marx than by Jesus Christ.
- Opposition to the government
Romero’s opposition to the Salvadoran government and its security forces made him a threat to the country’s rulers. He spoke out against the government’s use of violence and the repression of the poor. He also wrote to President Jimmy Carter urging the US to stop supplying arms and military advisers to the Salvadoran government.
- Legal aid office
In 1978, Romero founded Socorro Jurídico, a legal aid office that documented human rights abuses by the Salvadoran armed forces.
- Murder
Romero was assassinated while celebrating Mass on March 24, 1980. His murder remains unsolved.
- Painting controversy
An 18-foot-wide painting of Romero’s life was commissioned in 2010 to mark the 30th anniversary of his murder. However, the painting was later removed from its original location in the departure hall of San Salvador’s airport and replaced with a poster. This led to criticism from some Catholic leaders.