For those who have a passion for human rights and social justice, the life of Oscar Romero can still be seen as an inspiration today. As the Archbishop of San Salvador in the 1970s, he reached out beyond his pulpit to serve the needs of his people and speak out against the violence and corruption that existed.
Early on, it was clear that Romero had a calling. As a Bishop in Santiago de Maria, he toured the countryside trying to understand the plights of his people. He was shocked to learn about their lack of medicine, low wages and terrible treatment of workers. He began to write about these injustices in pastoral letters, which informed the parishes in the community of what was happening.
During this time, the country was on the brink of civil war and the government was a corrupt oligarchy. Many became the target of the military junta, including his friend, a fellow priest, who was brutally murdered on his way to church. He informed the government that until this murder was investigated, religious leaders would no longer make appearances at government ceremonies. He also ceased all catholic masses, with the exception of one in a cathedral, in protest of the murders.
To counter the ongoing violence in El Salvador, Romero spoke out against the regime and their corruption and called for an end to it. His sermons were broadcasted on the radio every Sunday, so the people could hear about his ongoing fight for peace.
He petitioned abroad, seeking help from the Pope in Rome and the U.S President at the time, Jimmy Carter. But his words to other countries went largely unheeded.
On March 24, 1980, during a sermon in San Salvador while he was performing a mass, Romero was brutally shot dead. At his funeral, many who gathered to pay tribute to him were killed. Thousands more were killed in a civil war that took place over the next twelve years. The UN truth commission ruled that this war was a genocide that claimed over 75,000 lives.His life has been such an inspiration that a town in his name in El Salvador exists. The Catholic Church has deemed him as a"servant of God," which officially has opened his case for the sainthood.
Oscar Romero spoke out against the oppression and persecutions carried out by the government of El Salvador. This did not make the ruling class happy so a member of the right wing death squads was sent to "deal with the problem."
Oscar Romero was killed by a right wing death squad working for the government of El Salvador on March 24, 1980.
He fought social injustice.
he got killed
He was killed in the country of El Salvador while saying Mass.
March 24, 1980, while saying Mass.
Oscar Romero was from El Salvador.Archbishop Oscar Romero lived in saint Tropez.
Oscar Romero was a man who stood up for the people of E L Salvador. These people were getting killed, tortured by the government. Oscar Romero was trying to stop this he was doing a good job of it but unfortunately he was assassinated and his mission and life was cut short.
He was Catholic.
No, Oscar Romero was Salvadorean - from El Salvador - but his language was Spanish.
Oscar Romero was elevated to archbishop on February 23, 1977.
Oscar Romero was assassinated on March 24, 1980, at the age of 62.
Oscar Romero was a priest and bishop and was never married.
Yes, Oscar Romero had five siblings. He was the second of seven children in his family.
at oscar romeros funeral guns were fired and 30-50 people were killed over 2000 people turned up for his funeral