Monsignor Romero: A Symbol Against Repression and Poverty

Monsignor Romero

Oscar Arnulfo Romero y Galdámez, better known as Monsignor Romero or San Romero has represented a symbol of social justice against repression and poverty in El Salvador and throughout Latin America for more than 38 years. Monsignor Romero spoke against the abuses he saw perpetrated against the Salvadoran people. Similar to Martin Luther King and Gandhi, Monsignor was also killed for advocating for social justice. His death shocked the world, but his legacy continues—38 years after his death, on Sunday, October 14, 2018, Pope Francis canonized Monsignor Romero.

Here are five interesting facts about Monsignor Romero.

Oscar Arnulfo Romero y Galdámez was born on August 15, 1917, in the city of Barrios, San Miguel in El Salvador.
He was killed on March 24, 1980, while officiating a mass. The culprits who murdered Monsignor Romero have never been found. On many occasions, he gave references that he was willing to die for the cause, and this is one of his phrases: “My hope is that my blood will be like a seed of liberty and a sign that our hopes will soon become reality.”
He was nominated for the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize.
In 1989 the film Romero was released in the U.S. This film is based on the true story of Monsignor Romero.
In November 2013, a monument to Monsignor Romero was made at MacArthur Park in Los Angeles, California. In March 2014 the national airport of Salvador was named after him: Monseñor Óscar Arnulfo Romero y Galdámez International Airport.

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Monsignor Romero: A Symbol Against Repression and Poverty

Further Reading and Other Resources

Interview With an Author: Emily C. Hughes

Entrevista con el periodista y escritor mexicano José Gil Olmos

Interview With Cartoonist and Illustrator Medar de la Cruz

Interview With an Author: Tim Major

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