O scar R omero

In 1977, he became Archbishop of San Salvador, the capital. Some rich people were pleased - they thought he would help to control the poor people in the countryside, known as ‘campesinos’. Fr. Oscar Romero was shy, conservative, and a friend of powerful people in El Salvador. Friend of the powerful

Many wealthy people did not want to share their wealth, especially their land, with the campesinos. The government and army supported the rich and powerful, oppressing the campesinos violently. Friend of the powerful

Less than a month later, Romero’s friend, Fr. Rutilio Grande, was shot dead after criticising the government. Romero was upset and angry. He insisted that the murder be investigated. This never happened. From that point, Romero became a friend of the campesinos, a voice for those who had no power against the violence they suffered. Friend of the poor

“Many would like the poor to keep on saying it is God’s will for them to live that way. But it is not God’s will for some to have everything and others to have nothing. That cannot be of God.” Voice of the voiceless

In his radio broadcasts, especially his weekly Cathedral sermons, Romero spoke out against the violence being done to the campesinos. Voice of the voiceless When he received death threats Romero said: “If they kill me, I will rise again in the Salvadoran people.”

Martyrdom On 24 March 1980, Romero was saying Mass in this small chapel. A car drew up and a shot was fired through the open church door. Romero was killed.

Tens of thousands came to say goodbye to their beloved Archbishop. During the funeral 250,000 crowded the streets around the Cathedral. As the sermon began, there was an explosion and shots rang out as gunmen fired into the crowds. More than 30 died and over 200 were injured. Funeral violence

During the chaos, Romero’s body was laid to rest in the crypt below the Cathedral. It has become a place of pilgrimage. Romero’s tomb

After Romero’s death, El Salvador suffered a civil war. Many people, mostly campesinos, were killed or disappeared. In March 2009, Mauricio Funes was elected president and pledged to follow the example of Archbishop Romero. There is now hope for a more just and peaceful El Salvador. El Salvador today

Archbishop Romero was a CAFOD partner - a person or group supported by CAFOD to work with people who are poor. CAFOD partners still work in El Salvador. CAFOD in El Salvador

They help people to find ways to make a living and to prepare for hazards like hurricanes and earthquakes. They care for people with HIV and AIDS and try to reduce the number affected by the illness. They stand up for human rights and work to resolve conflicts.

Photographs: Equipo Maiz Claudia Torres CAFOD Find out more about CAFOD’s work in El Salvador at: cafod.org.uk/wherewework/elsalvador