Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
San Salvador (Agenzia Fides) - The "Bishop martyr" of El Salvador, His Exc. Mgr. Oscar Arnulfo Romero, will be beatified on May 23 in his hometown: the announcement was made by the Postulator of the cause of beatification, Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, President of the Pontifical Council for the Family, who is in the Central American Country to firm up the details regarding the organization of the event, meet the political and religious authorities and members of the mass media.
The Archbishop of San Salvador, Oscar Arnulfo Romero (Ciudad Barrios August 15, 1917 - San Salvador March 24, 1980), was killed by "death squads" while celebrating Mass in the chapel of a hospital.
"Today I believe that Romero is the saint of all El Salvador - said Mgr. Paglia according to the note sent to Agenzia Fides by the Pontifical Mission Societies of El Salvador -. Many years have passed since then, and El Salvador has experienced many difficult moments. Romero never hated anyone, not even his opponents. On the contrary, by choosing the poorest, Romero wanted a fairer, more attentive El Salvador towards the children most in need. A country that does not love, does not pay attention to its children most in need, is like a family where both the father and mother are not interested in their children".
On the current situation, Mgr. Paglia says: "Not only El Salvador has new problems compared to the past, I am thinking of criminal gangs, but the world has also changed. The whole world is experiencing dramatic moments related to terrorism. Romero today is a testimony that is opposed to those who believe that violence will win. Mgr. Romero says that life can never be removed, but only offered". (SL) (Agenzia Fides 12/03/2015)
