El Salvador’s president apologizes for Archbishop Romero’s murder
March 25, 2010
Thirty years to the day after gunmen assassinated Archbishop Oscar Romero as he was celebrating Mass, President Mauricio Funes of El Salvador apologized on behalf of the government for the prelate’s murder.
The archbishop’s assassins “unfortunately acted with the protection, collaboration or participation of state agents,” said President Funes. “These illegal armed groups terrorized the civilian population during those dark years, leaving behind thousands of victims.”
Born in 1917 and ordained in 1942, Archbishop Romero was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of San Salvador in 1970 and Bishop of Santiago de Maria in 1974. He served as Archbishop of San Salvador from 1977 to 1980.
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Further information:
- Salvadoran leader apologizes for bishop's killing (AP)
- Robert Royal: Archbishop Romero and Latin American Martyrs (Arlington Catholic Herald, 2000)
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