Beatification cause of Archbishop Romero 'unblocked,' archbishop reports

April 22, 2013

The path toward beatification of Archbishop Oscar Romero has been “unblocked,” according to the postulator for the cause of the slain Salvadoran prelate.

Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia reported that the Vatican has been studying the dossier on Archbishop Romero since 1996, but Pope Francis “unblocked” the process in recent days. The archbishop told the National Catholic Reporter that he hoped to be able to provide a more detailed announcement soon.

Archbishop Romero was shot and killed while celebrating Mass in San Salvador in 1980. The assassination was attributed to right-wing forces guided by Roberto D’Aubisson, a leading Salvadoran politician. While both Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI referred to Archbishop Romero as a martyr for the faith, some skeptics have questioned whether the Salvadoran prelate was killed out of hatred for the faith or rather for political reasons.

 

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Further information:

• Francis 'unblocks' Romero beatification, official says (National Catholic Reporter)