Oscar

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Oscar
Romero
1917-1980
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Friend of the powerful
Fr. Oscar Romero was shy, conservative, and a
friend of powerful people in El Salvador.
In 1977, he became Archbishop of San Salvador,
the capital. Some rich people were pleased -
they thought he would help to control the poor
people in the countryside, known as campesinos.
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Friend of the powerful
Many wealthy people did not want to share their
wealth, especially their land, with the
campesinos. The government and army supported
the rich and powerful, oppressing the campesinos
violently.
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Friend of the poor
Less than a month later, Romeros friend, Fr.
Rutilio Grande, was shot dead after criticising
the government. Romero was upset and angry. He
insisted that the murder be investigated. This
never happened. From that point, Romero became a
friend of the campesinos, a voice for those who
had no power against the violence they suffered.
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Voice of the voiceless
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Voice of the voiceless
In his radio broadcasts, especially his weekly
Cathedral sermons, Romero spoke out against the
violence being done to the campesinos.
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Martyrdom
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Funeral violence
Tens of thousands came to say goodbye to their
beloved Archbishop. During the funeral 250,000
crowded the streets around the Cathedral.
As the sermon began, there was an explosion and
shots rang out as gunmen fired into the crowds.
More than 30 died and over 200 were injured.
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Romeros tomb
During the chaos, Romeros body was laid to rest
in the crypt below the Cathedral. It has become
a place of pilgrimage.
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El Salvador today
In March 2009, Mauricio Funes was elected
president and pledged to follow the example of
Archbishop Romero. There is now hope for a more
just and peaceful El Salvador.
After Romeros death, El Salvador suffered a
civil war. Many people, mostly campesinos, were
killed or disappeared.
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CAFOD in El Salvador
Archbishop Romero was a CAFOD partner - a person
or group supported by CAFOD to work with people
who are poor. CAFOD partners still work in El
Salvador.
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CAFOD in El Salvador
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Photographs Equipo Maiz Claudia Torres CAFOD
Find out more about CAFODs work in El Salvador
at cafod.org.uk/wherewework/elsalvador