Romero, Saint Óscar Arnulfo (1917-1980), served as archbishop of San Salvador , the capital of El Salvador , from 1977 until his death. As archbishop, he was the highest official of the Roman Catholic Church in the country. Romero at first avoided becoming involved in political affairs. But in time he came to believe the church should take an active role in bringing social justice to the people. Romero became an outspoken critic of the violence and human rights abuses that El Salvador’s military government committed against its citizens and opponents. On March 24, 1980, he was assassinated by an unknown gunman while celebrating Mass . Romero’s death became a symbol for those who sought peace and change in the country.
Óscar Arnulfo Romero y Galdámez was born on Aug. 15, 1917, in Ciudad Barrios, El Salvador, near the city of San Miguel. He was ordained as a priest in 1942. From 1968 to 1972, Romero served as executive secretary to the Central American Bishop’s Secretariat. In 1974, he became bishop of Santiago de Maria. Romero was canonized (declared a saint) by Pope Francis in 2018.
