In “Witness to Freedom,” the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops summarizes the life of Blessed Oscar Romero of San Salvador:
“Before
becoming archbishop, Monsignor Romero was not aware that the government
was responsible for the deaths of many civilians. Because of his quiet
nature, some thought that he would be good for the position, assuming he
would not meddle in controversial affairs. However, shortly after his
installation, his close friend, Father Rutilio Grande, a priest who
openly opposed the unjust practices of wealthy landowners, was
assassinated by gunmen while traveling with two people to celebrate
Mass. This experience awakened Archbishop Romero to the reality of the
corruption in his country and prompted him to take a stand for his
people’s freedom.”
On March 23, 1980, in response to increasing
violence, Archbishop Romero gave a homily in which he told soldiers in
El Salvador to follow the law of God and disobey orders to fire on
unarmed civilians. The next day, he was fatally shot by an assassin
while celebrating Mass in the chapel of a hospital.
Following the
Gospel, Blessed Romero saw pain, poverty and injustice and worked to
alleviate it. He could have looked the other way. Instead, he tackled it
head-on in spite of the consequences — severe criticism and threats to
his life.
Blessed Paul VI was also remembered as a strong leader
who was close to Catholics who suffered persecution, including
Archbishop Romero. Blessed Paul VI and Blessed Oscar Romero will be
canonized Oct. 14 in Rome. While visiting the pope on June 21, 1978,
Blessed Romero wrote in his diary that Blessed Paul encouraged him to
“proceed with courage, with patience, with strength, with hope.”
Pope
Francis said that Blessed Paul “fully lived the labor pains of the
Church after the Second Vatican Council — its lights, hopes and
tensions. He loved the Church and gave his life for it.” Blessed Paul
had a drive to proclaim the Gospel to the people with mercy, patience,
courage and joy. The encyclical for which is he is most known is
“Humanae Vitae.” Usually described as a document affirming the Church’s
prohibition against artificial contraception, it places that conclusion
in the context of Catholic teaching on the beauty and purpose of
marriage, married love and procreation.
Blessed Paul showed a deep
sense of prayerfulness and an acute involvement in the social issues of
his time. He was a discerning person, listening to God’s word and the
world and being at home in the solitude of prayer. Pope Paul VI taught
that “if you want peace, work for justice.” The Gospel and our love for
all our sisters and brothers demands that we promote peace in a world
surrounded by violence and conflict.
The examples of the
soon-to-be saints show us the need to answer the call of Christian
discipleship, which entails ongoing conversion and courage. We also
should follow their desire not to be edified as saints themselves, but
rather to journey with others toward God.