Óscar Romero

Archbishop and Martyr, 1980, and the Martyrs of El Salvador (24 March)

Óscar Romero was born in 1917 in San Salvador, studied theology in Rome,

and returned to his native land where he worked among the poor.

Considered conservative by some, after his appointment as Archbishop of San Salvador in 1977,

a progressive Jesuit friend of his, Rutilio Grande, was assassinated,

and Romero began protesting the government’s injustice to the poor and its policies of torture.

He met with Pope John Paul II in 1980 about the leaders of El Salvador engaged in terror and assassinations, and pleaded with the American government to stop military aid to his country.

Romero was shot to death while celebrating Mass on March 24, 1980.

Romero is considered a martyr along with other Christian leaders

who worked with the poor and spoke out.