Over 250,000 attend Romero beatification; Pope, Obama issue statements
May 25, 2015
Archbishop Óscar Romero, who served as archbishop of El Salvador’s capital city of San Salvador from 1977 until his 1980 assassination, was beatified as a martyr on May 23.
Cardinal Angelo Amato, prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, presided at the Mass of beatification, which was attended by at least a quarter million people.
“In that beautiful Central American land, bathed by the Pacific Ocean, the Lord granted his Church a zealous bishop who, loving God and serving the brothers and sisters, converted into an image of Christ the Good Shepherd,” Pope Francis said in a message to Blessed Romero’s successor, Archbishop José Luis Escobar Alas.
“In times of difficult coexistence, Archbishop Romero knew how to lead, defend and protect his flock, remaining faithful to the Gospel and in communion with the whole Church,” the Pontiff added. “His ministry was distinguished by a particular attention to the most poor and marginalized. And in the moment of his death, while he celebrated the Holy Sacrifice of love and reconciliation, he received the grace to identify himself fully with him who gave his life for his sheep.”
“Archbishop Romero was an inspiration for people in El Salvador and across the Americas,” President Barack Obama said in a statement issued four months before the Pope’s visit to Washington. “He was a wise pastor and a courageous man who persevered in the face of opposition from extremes on both sides. He fearlessly confronted the evils he saw, guided by the needs of his beloved pueblo, the poor and oppressed people of El Salvador.”
“I am grateful to Pope Francis for his leadership in reminding us of our obligation to help those most in need, and for his decision to beatify Blessed Oscar Arnulfo Romero,” President Obama added. “Let us hope that Archbishop Romero’s vision can inspire all of us to respect the dignity of all human beings, and to work for justice and peace in our hemisphere and beyond.”
For all current news, visit our News home page.
Further information:
- Lettera del Santo Padre Francesco all’Arcivescovo di San Salvador in occasione della Beatificazione di Óscar Arnulfo Romero y Galdámez (Holy See Press Office)
- Pope Francis sends letter for the beatification of Óscar Romero (Vatican Radio)
- Salvadorans rejoice as slain Archbishop Romero beatified (AP)
- Former rebels, devout cheer as murdered archbishop beatified in El Salvador (Reuters)
- Statement by the President on the Beatification of Archbishop Oscar Romero (White House)
All comments are moderated. To lighten our editing burden, only current donors are allowed to Sound Off. If you are a current donor, log in to see the comment form; otherwise please support our work, and Sound Off!
