Oscar Romero Research Paper

Archbishop Oscar Romero—Protector of the Poor
Throughout history, there have been many inspirational people who have stood up against unfairness and for those whose voices weren’t being heard. Not only have they risked their lives trying to make a difference but also some have even lost their lives in the process. One person in particular was Óscar Romero who was a protector of the poor and stood up against the injustices of the government and military. His efforts left a lasting impression, even more than three decades after his tragic death.
Óscar Arnulfo Romero y Galdámez was born in Ciudad Barrios, El Salvador on August 15, 1917. He was the second born out of seven children to Guadalupe de Jesús Galdámez and Santos Romero. Since his
“Romero spent his first two and a half decades of his ministerial career as a parish priest and diocesan secretary in San Miguel” ("Archbishop Oscar Romero.", 2004). Although Romero would’ve liked to continue his studies and pursue a doctorate, in 1944 he had to make his way back to El Salvador. There had been a shortage of priests and were in need of his assistance. It was also during this time that he began “preaching and speaking on the local radio”. Romero knew there were people who didn’t feel welcome in the church. These people didn’t feel worthy of attending church with those who were of higher status than they were. As a solution, Romero was able to have his Sunday sermons on certain radio stations for those who felt unwelcomed in the church ("Archbishop Oscar Romero: A Bishop for the New Millennium", 2012; Brockman, 1984). This wasn’t a common thing for a priest to be doing during this
This included a few more priests. He continued giving his sermons and speaking about what was going on in El Salvador. During one of his talks on the radio, he spoke out to soldiers and policemen who were felt they were above everyone else and therefore murdering innocent people (Kellogg). During mass the following evening in 1980, Romero was assassinated. He had “foreseen the danger of his assassination” long before and “had spoken of it often, declaring his willingness to accept martyrdom if his blood might contribute to the solution of the nation’s problems” ("Archbishop Oscar Romero.", 2004).
His murders were never found. Some say that his assassination had to do with the “right-wing death squads” (Valdes, Delcid, & Castillo, 2015). Regardless of the reasons, thousands of people came together to say their last goodbyes outside the cathedral in El Salvador. Since his death, he has won a Nobel Peace Prize, had two movies made about him, and has been beatified. He is that much closer to becoming a