Óscar Romero

Saint Óscar Romero was a Catholic Archbishop in El Salvador who fought to give a voice to the voiceless and to give hope to the victims of the Government’s tyranny and the violence of the Right-Wing Death Squads that roamed the country at the time. 

He was originally seen as a conservative figure who was a safe placement as Archbishop, someone who wouldn’t rock the boat. However, his involvement as Archbishop lead to him witnessing first hand the atrocities done to his people in the name of obtaining power by the government and far right groups, and eventually, the assassination of a close friend. 

He used the Bible and the church to advocate for a society that should give preferential treatment to the poor and stand up for the downtrodden regardless of any consequences. He was a champion of the oppressed and the marginalized and was inspired by the words and life of Jesus in his activism. He was a beacon of hope and solidarity to all who needed it. Some say that while he was alive, the spirit of Jesus was present in El Salvador.

He was assassinated while leading Mass, likely by right wing extremists or ordered by a wealthy business owner. Before he died he read John 12:24-26 to his clergy. He began to give a homily when was shot through the heart by an unknown gunman. There was no thorough investigation into his death.

I beseech you, I beg you, I command you
in the name of God cease the repression.
-St. Óscar Romero in his final broadcast

In Romero’s final sermon, he gave a chillingly prophetic homily to his congregation. He spoke of giving up one’s life and desires to serve the people moments before the bullet struck him and he gave up his.  You can read his final words to the left. 

Side-note: I highly recommend you watch the sermon by Bishop Tricia Hillas titled “St Oscar Romero Sermon | 10 September 2023” on You tube. She speaks to the life and sacrifice of Romero better than I could ever dream of.