On Archbishop Oscar Romero

By Miguel A. Hernandez

It is encouraging to know that the case of the assassination of Archbishop Oscar

Romero is being opened in El Salvador to uncover the events and the evil players in his

death. The one who was the “voice of the voiceless” is still calling for Justice in El

Salvador.

Oscar Romero (1917- 1980) was a quiet priest in the Catholic Church in San

Salvador, El Salvador. Romero performed his duties as a priest without being noticed by

the leaders of the Catholic Church hierarchy. Some have described Oscar Romero as a

very pleasant and submissive individual. Cavanaugh, W. T. (2001), asserts that Romero's

evolution in to a leader came after Rutilio Grande's death, since it "played the central role

in converting Romero from cautious bureaucrat to prophetic voice of the voiceless."

Father Rutilio Grande, S. J., was a priest who believed and attempted to implement the

theology of liberation in El Salvador. Father Rutilio Grande was killed on March 12,

19771. Re-iterating on the issue of Romero turning from a quiet person to a vocal leader,

Cavanaugh, W. T. (2001) goes on to say "Romero's subsequent transformation into a

tireless advocate for the poor and oppressed of El Salvador became known as "Rutilio's

miracle," a miracle performed only in his death."

Shortell, T. (2001) indicates that "[t]heVatican chose Oscar A. Romero, a

conservative and bookish prelate, as the new archbishop. It gave him the task of

recapturing the "unity of the Church," which in this context meant bringing the radicals

back into the fold." When Romero became archbishop of San Salvador, he was

considered a person who could follow orders and who was supposedly willing to submit

1
Placido Erdozain, Arbishop Romero: Martyr of Salvador, (New York: Orbis Book., 1981), 86.

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to the powerful and affluent people of El Salvador. However, Romero had an incredible

conversion from a quiet and humble individual to a powerful leader in his poor country.

The Catholic Church, the Salvadoran Government, and the oligarchs were very surprised

by the person who they chose to fight the theology of liberation movement since Romero

was not in favor of it. Shortell, T. (2001) continues to say of Romero: "[h]e quickly

became the acknowledged leader of the popular church and voice of the oppressed

masses. By 1979, he was an international symbol of the struggle against repression and

injustice, nominated for the Nobel Prize." At the present time, Oscar Romero has become

a well known leadership figure worldwide who has inspired many people everywhere.

Bass (1985) reports many of the possible traits found in a leader. These are some

of the traits mentioned: a) they tend to have good health; b) they tend to have the capacity

to influence others; c) they tend to have better than average grades; d) they tend to be

dominant; e) they tend to have initiative and assume responsibility; f) they tend to be

persistent. From the list above, one could say that Romero met items b), e), and f).

Thus, one can conclude that Oscar Romero was a person who had an average

charisma before becoming or turning into a great leader without being dominant. Romero

in a very humble, but assertive, way confronted the powers that oppressed the people of

El Salvador. In an effort to stop economic and military aid to El Salvador, due human

rights violations, Oscar Romero wrote a letter, dated February 17, 1980 to President

Jimmy Carter of the United States of America2. In a radio broadcast of his sermon, Oscar

Romero told the military forces not to kill their fellow bothers and sisters: “No soldier is

obliged to obey an order contrary to the word of God.”3 For these reasons, Archbishop

2
Placido Erdozain, Arbishop Romero: Martyr of Salvador, (New York: Orbis Book., 1981), 77.
3
Placido Erdozain, Arbishop Romero: Martyr of Salvador, (New York: Orbis Book., 1981), 79.

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Oscar Romero was assassinated on March 24, 1980 while offering the Eucharist in San

Salvador.

Uncovering and clarifying the events as well as bringing to the spotlight those

who participated in the assassination of Archbishop Oscar Romero is necessary in order

to bring justice in El Salvador.

Posted on 8/28/09
 References
Bass, B.M. (1990). Handbook of leadership: Theory, research, & managerial
applications. New York, NY: The Free Press.

Cavanaugh, W. T. (2001), Dying for the eucharist or being killed by it? Romero's

challenge to first-world Christians.Theology Today. Princeton. Retrieved on December

18, 2003, from University of Phoenix, Proquest Database.

Shortell, T. (2001). Radicalization of religious discourse in El Salvador: The case of

Oscar A. Romero. Sociology of Religion. Washington. Retrieved on December 18,

2003, from University of Phoenix, Proquest Database.

Posted on 8/28/09