Tomorrow, on October 14, 2018, Blessed Oscar Romero of El Salvador will be canonized by Pope Francis. In honor of his canonization, the film ROMERO: COLLECTOR’S EDITION has been released on DVD and Digital by Paulist Productions and Vision Video. The movie chronicles the amazing transformation of an apolitical, complacent priest into a committed leader who starts a revolution without guns, without an army, without fear — Oscar Romero fought with the only weapon he had: the truth.

I remember seeing this film for the first time in 1989 at the Newman Center on the Illinois State University campus. I was a graduate of ISU, working as a young, single professional in the area at that time. I had just recently reverted to my faith after a fifteen year hiatus and was on fire for the Faith. There was a lot of buzz in Catholic circles about this holy man and I was interested in learning who he was.

When I watched the film, I was astounded to discover the dramatic story of Oscar Romero’s life. I was also stunned to learn how he died for his Faith. Since then, I have viewed the film many times. I both love and admire this great saint for his courage and fortitude and his strength and determination to preach the Gospel message in the face of great evil.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION FOR ROMERO: COLLECTOR’S EDITION

El Salvador is a small Central American country that has been plagued by violence and poverty due to over-population and class struggles. The conflict between the rich and the poor of the country has existed for more than a century.

In the late 1880s, coffee became a major cash crop for El Salvador. It brought in 95% of the country’s income. Unfortunately, this wealth was confined within only 2% of the population. Tensions between the classes grew, and in 1932 Augustin Farabundo Marti formed the Central American Socialist Party and led peasants and indigenous people against the Government. He was eventually arrested and put to death. The government created death squads, which massacred more than 30,000 people.

The struggle continued through the 1970s. Both sides continued to fight back and forth in an endless string of assignations and coups. As the presence of guerillas existed, the military reinstated the death squads in order to combat the rebel forces. In 1979, yet another military junta overthrew the government. When the Junta made promises to improve living standards in the country but failed to do so, discontent with the government provoked the five main guerrilla groups country to unite in the Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front.

MOVIE REVIEW OF ROMERO: COLLECTOR’S EDITION

ROMERO: COLLECTOR’S EDITION depicts the true story of Oscar Romero, who was the archbishop of San Salvador, El Salvador, from 1977 until his martyrdom in 1980. Romero (Raul Julia) was initially a quiet, bookish cleric closely associated with the upper class, who was chosen to be Archbishop of El Salvador because he would make no waves nor disturb the government status quo. In other words, he was not considered to be neither a “subversive” nor an “agitator.” Besides, his health was delicate, which was an added benefit for those in religious hierarchy who were kowtowing to the government. Romero, indeed, was the perfect fit.

Romero soon learns how challenging his position is when he discovers dead bodies in the town square of people who were simply participating in Holy Mass. Anyone who practices his Faith and says what he/she thinks is labelled a Communist and is gunned down by the government. The Catholic Church promotes human dignity and social justice, and hence, is viewed as an enemy of the government.

When innocent lay people are gunned down and even his own priests are tortured and murdered, Romero realizes that he must speak out forcefully against the violence. His homilies become warnings and he becomes transformed into a soldier for Christ, using truth as his sole weapon. The government warns him what happens to clergy who oppose them and make threats against him.

Then, on March 24, 1980, in a small hospital chapel, Romero is murdered while saying Mass. His assassins are never brought to justice, but his spirit lives on in the people of El Salvador.

In a homily the day before he is assassinated, Romero calls for soldiers to end the violence in his country: “In the name of this suffering people, whose cries rise to heaven each day more tumultuous, I beseech you, I beg you, I order you, in the name of God, stop the repression.”
The words of Archbishop Romero continue to be relevant today with the social injustices suffered by many refugees and the persecution of the church in other Central American countries, including Nicaragua.

ROMERO: COLLECTOR’S EDITION is an unforgettable film! Archbishop Romero’s powerful words will remain with you long after the film has ended and his fiery spirit of love for the oppressed and the impoverished will become implanted in your heart and soul.

The remastered DVD release date was Oct. 9. You can purchase a DVD or a digital download off of Amazon. If you have Amazon Prime, you can stream ROMERO: COLLECTOR’S EDITION HERE for FREE.

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