Why was Monsignor Romero treated so badly by the Church and the Pope when he was a truly representative of the ideals of Salvadorean people?

Answer 1

Archbishop Oscar Romero of El Salvador was accused unjustly by many Church authorities of being too sympathetic with the 'liberation theology' movement that was taking a strong hold on his country due to unjust economic, political, or social conditions. The Vatican criticized certain strains of liberation theology for focusing on institutionalized or systemic sin, apparently to the exclusion of individual offenders and offenses; and for identifying Catholic Church hierarchy in South America as members of the same privileged class that had long been oppressing indigenous populations. Romero was caught between a 'rock and a hard place.' He sympathized with his people and their hardships but some of the clergy under his rule were taking extreme measures, even taking up arms themselves. How could Romero rein in his clergy without appearing unsympathetic to the needs of his people? If he appeared to be totally against the liberation movement he lost support of the people and his clergy who would then associate him with the corrupt, oppressive ruling class. If he sided with his clergy, he would be considered a rebel by both the government as well as the Vatican who considered the movement to be too Marxist in tone. Romero tried to take a 'middle of the road' approach and he made enemies on both sides.

Answer 2

Oscar Romero was the embodiment of liberation theology, which the hierarchy of the Catholic church opposed.