Tag: Martyrdom

Additional Details About Future Beautification of Archbishop Romero

On the morning of February 3, 2015, the Roman Catholic Church’s commission of cardinals unanimously confirmed the martyrdom of Archbishop Romero and that same afternoon Pope Francis did the same. February 3 is also the day that Romero was named Archbishop of San Salvador in 1977. [1]

The date of the beatification is being determined by the Vatican, but the place will be the Salvador del Mundo (Savior of the World) monument and plaza in San Salvador, the capital of El Salvador.

Super Martyrio, a layman’s blog devoted to the beatification and canonization of Romero, asserts that the determination of Romero’s martyrdom is significant for the following reasons:

  1. Archbishop Romero represents total fidelity to the Gospel and to the Church.
  2. Archbishop Romero is emblematic of the “New Martyrs”.
  3. Archbishop Romero is a model of holiness.
  4. Archbishop Romero is a peacemaker.
  5. Archbishop Romero embodies a coherent Christianity
  6. Archbishop Romero challenges us to be a Church that goes forth into the world.
  7. Archbishop Romero is a guide for the “preferential option for the poor”.
  8. Archbishop Romero challenged all parties to work together for the common good.
  9. Archbishop Romero is a great preacher.
  10. Archbishop Romero is recognized beyond the Church.

Great News! Muchas gracias, Super Martyrio, for your constant and excellent work on this most important cause!

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[1] This post is based upon Tim’s El Salvador Blog, St. Romero of the Americas (Feb. 3, 2015)(this blog post also has links to sources about Romero); Super Martyrio, At last, a speedy approval for Romero (Feb. 3, 2015)(extensive discussion of the reasons for the long delay in determining martyrdom); Super Martyrio, Ten reasons Romero matters (Feb. 3, 2015). 

Pope Francis Confirms Martyrdom of Salvadoran Archbishop Oscar Romero

On February 3rd Pope Francis confirmed the martyrdom of Salvadoran Archbishop Oscar Romero, when he was assassinated while saying mass on March 24, 1980, as an “act of hatred” for his Roman Catholic faith. This follows the finding of martyrdom by the nine-member Commission of theologians of the Church’s Congregation for the Causes of Saints and by a commission of cardinals and bishops. [1]

Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, president of the Pontifical Council for the Family and the chief advocate for Archbishop Romero’s cause for beatification and sainthood, acknowledged that Archbishop Romero had been viewed by many over the years as a “bishop of the revolutionary left, of the Marxist culture.”

However, Archbishop Paglia added, “meticulous research erased all doubts and prejudices that many had within the church and in El Salvador.” As a result, “it was clear to us that killing a priest on the altar is a message for the whole church, a political message against a religious man.” Indeed, Archbishop Romero’s message stemmed directly from the Bible, and “today Romero is an enormous help to Francis’s vision of the church — their voices sound like one, a poor church for the poor.”

Last month Pope Francis quoted Romero: “Giving life doesn’t only mean to be killed. Giving life, having the martyr’s spirit, means giving while doing our duty, in silence, in prayer, while we honestly fulfill our duty.”

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[1] Pianigani, Pope Francis Honors Óscar Romero, Salvadoran Archbishop, as Martyr, N.Y. Times (Feb. 3, 2015),  This blog contains many posts about the life and death of Archbishop Romero.