Beatification of Oscar Romero

Who was Romero? A special man Archbishop of San Salvador Stood up for poor communities in El Salvador Spoke out against inequality and injustice Romero was a special man, who stood up for poor communities. He was born in El Salvador, and became Archbishop of San Salvador in 1977. In El Salvador there was much inequality - a few families were very rich and owned lots of land but most people were poor and earned very little. People became angry at this unfairness. Many people, like Romero, spoke out against what was happening. But the rich were powerful – if people complained they were put in prison or even killed.

Friend of the poor Even though it was dangerous, Romero continued to speak out against injustice. In 1980, Romero was killed while saying Mass. Romero is remembered for his courage, his faith and his love for the poor. Despite the dangers, Romero stood alongside his people and spoke out against injustice. On 24 March 1980, Romero was killed while saying Mass. Romero is remembered for his courage, his faith and his great love for the poor.

What is a saint? Romero was a special man. When he was killed, many people called him a saint or a martyr. When he was killed, many people called Romero a saint or a martyr. The Church began to investigate this. Discuss with pupils: What is a saint? What is a martyr? Explain that we are all called to be saints – examples of God’s love in the world. When he visited Britain, Pope Benedict told children: “I invite you to become saints”. But when someone is declared a saint by the Church they are being held up as an example for us.

Beatification Romero is now recognised by the Pope as a martyr. On 23 May 2015, Romero was declared ‘Blessed’ – this is called beatification. Beatification is a step towards being declared a saint. There will have to be proof that prayers to Romero have been answered by a miracle before he can be called ‘Saint Oscar Romero’.

Civil war After Romero’s death, there was a civil war in El Salvador. Many people were killed.

El Salvador today In 1992, the civil war ended. The people of El Salvador are working hard to rebuild communities and make a better future.

CAFOD projects in El Salvador Find out more about projects that CAFOD funds in our award-winning El Salvador Geography pack at cafod.org.uk/geography CAFOD supports projects in El Salvador. Our partners are brave and dedicated, like Romero. We can learn from them.

Let us pray... Oscar Romero, Help us to follow your example. Pray for us, that we may become saints, speaking out against injustice and working for a just world, where everyone is treated with fairness and dignity. Amen.

Photographs: Equipo Maiz Claudia Torres CAFOD Find out more about El Salvador and our work there at: cafod.org.uk/geography