AMERICA/EL SALVADOR - Mgr. Romero: a guiding light for sustainable development and social justice in Central America

New York (Agenzia Fides) - In a speech on Friday, September 25, 2015 before the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit 2015, President Salvador Sanchez Ceren of El Salvador proposed the figure of Blessed Oscar Romero as a point of reference for the vision of integral development in the region.
The beatification of Romero last May, said Sanchez Ceren "goes hand in hand with the objectives of this global meeting, because Archbishop Romero worked for and sacrificed his life for the ideals of justice and human dignity that we propose today". The Salvadoran President expressed his desire that "the message of courage and peace of Blessed Romero may also guide us in this Summit and inspire us to create happiness and well-being in our planet".
According to the note sent to Fides, the Salvadoran President’s speech was overshadowed by the big news at the United Nations of the presence of Pope Francis during the same week, as well as the debut of the Cuban President Raul Castro at UN headquarters in New York. The decision of the Salvadoran State to feature the figure of Romero in its presentation to the UN is interesting because it suggests a strategy of embracing Romero as the maximum symbol of national identity. This decision should be read in tandem with past decisions, such as naming the air hub in El Salvador “Oscar A. Romero” airport, promoting a tourist route about the martyr and the recognition that the U.N. itself gave Romero in commemorating the anniversary of his assassination, March 24, as the "International Day for the Right to the Truth for Victims of Gross Human Rights Violations". (CE) (Agenzia Fides 28/09/2015)

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