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Remembering Archbishop Oscar Romero – Preacher and Martyr

by Fr. Eliseo "Jun" Mercado, OMI

JPIC Director

Rome, Italy

Twenty five years ago (24 March 1980), Mons. Oscar Romero, the Archbishop of San Salvador, was assassinated while celebrating the Eucharist in a small hospital chapel of the Divine Providence. 

Mons. Romero is remembered, today, not only as a PASTOR, who was very close to his people, especially the poor, the most abandoned and the “forgotten”, but also as a MARTYR for the causes of the poor and the oppressed – for whom he offered his life.

Mons. Romero devoted most of his time in preaching the Word of God. Every Sunday, the homily of the archbishop was aired to all through the archdiocesan radio station.  He knew not only to proclaim the Word of God but also how to reach into the depths of the hearts of his people, especially the poor and the campesinos. 

His preaching continues to echo in the world today.

Mons. Romero knew not only to preach but also to listen… discovering Jesus Christ present and alive in the realities of today. “To preach without reference to the historical context where the Word is proclaimed is NOT preaching the Gospel.”

He preached with no fear… trusting in God’s promise to his prophets: “Have no fear, for I am with you – says Yahweh” (Jer. 1:8).  At one time, he said that it was much easier to preach lies, to cover the truth and to accommodate the powers that be in order not to lose our advantage. This was the strong temptation… but the Spirit that we received is the Spirit of Truth and Courage… and we cannot betray the Spirit” (22 April 1979). Mons. Romero became “the voice of those without voice” (“la voz de los sin voz”)

In his last Sunday homily, he addressed the soldiers of the Salvadoran Army and the National Guards:

“Bothers of the same people murder their brothers and sisters “campesinos”, because of an “order to kill”   made by men. You must listen and obey the Law of God that says: “You shall not kill.” No soldier or National Guard is obliged to obey an order that is against the Law of God.  That law is immoral and holds no one to obey.  It is time that you retrieve your conscience and obey God.

The church cannot remain silent before this abomination. In the name of God and in the name of the people, who suffer whose cry reaches to heaven, I appeal to you, I beg of you and I order you in the name of God: Stop the repression of our people.”

The following day, Mons. Romero was murdered while concluding his homily in that small hospital chapel of the divine Providence.  His last words:

“Que este cuerpo (de Cristo) inmolado y esta sangre sacrificada por (los demás) nos alimente también para dar nuestro cuerpo y nuestra sangre al sufrimiento y al dolor, como Cristo, no para si, sino para dar conceptos de justicia y paz a nuestro pueblo. Unámonos pues, íntimamente en fe y esperanza a este momento de oración.” (24 Marzo 1980).

Note:

1. The one page English test is based on the 10-page reflexion in Spanish by Brian Pierce, OP of Lima, Peru.  If you are interested in the complete text, please send me an email at gs-jpic@omigen.org

2. For the latest updates on JPIC, visit our reformatted website at www.omigen.org/jpic