Obama pays tribute to Archbishop Romero
March 24, 2011
Accompanied by Archbishop Escobar Alas of San Salvador and President Mauricio Funes of El Salvador, President Barack Obama visited the tomb of the Servant of God Oscar Romero on the evening of March 22. Before lighting a candle, the president “closed his eyes, briefly bowed his head and then turned back, looking subdued,” according to a White House press report.
Archbishop Romero, who had frequently denounced human-rights violations in El Salvador, was shot and killed on March 24, 1980, while he was celebrating Mass. A UN investigation later concluded that the killing was ordered by Roberto d’Aubuisson, a right-wing leader who was associated with the notorious “death squads” during the civil war in El Salvador in the 1980s.
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Further information:
- Obama Lights Candle at Archbishop Romero's Tomb (Zenit)
- Obama visits tomb of Archbishop Romero (CNS Blog)
- Obama to visit grave of Archbishop Romero (CWN, 3/18)
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Posted by: hartwood01 -
Mar. 24, 2011 10:27 PM ET USA
I am sad to read that Romero's progression to designation as a saint is stalled because of being politicized. We need the example of this kind of courage in today's world.
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Posted by: filioque -
Mar. 24, 2011 6:55 PM ET USA
It is a shame that the Archbishop of San Salvador allowed a notorious abuser of the rights of unborn children to wrap himself in the cloak of Archbishop Romero. Better President Obama had fallen to his knees and repented and reformed.
