Oscar Romero was not only a man of love, dignified faith, valor, and hope; he was a man of social justice. Social Justice is the equal right for every member of society. Oscar knew he had to defend his people and if that meant dying, he was willing to do so.
Oscar Romero was one of the most famous archbishops in the world. He became archbishop of Salvador in 1980, and knew right then he was going to make his people proud by doing whatever possible to gain back their social justice. Romero was a surprise in history. The poor never expected him to take their side and the elites of church and state felt betrayed. He was a compromise candidate elected to head the bishop's episcopacy by conservative fellow bishops. He was a religious bookworm who was known to criticize the progressive liberation theology clergy so aligned with the impoverished farmers seeking land reform. However, an event would take place within three weeks of his election that would transform the frugal and timid Romero.
Romero's first leap of social justice began when a both Priest, and friend died. On March 12, 1977, a young boy, an old man, and Rutilio Grande (the Priest) were assassinated as they drove from Aguilares to El Paisnal for evening Mass. When Archbishop Romero arrived that night and saw the bloodstained body of his friend, tears flooded his eyes. In a flash, he realized Rutilio's prophetic work for justice and peace was right, that Rutilio, not himself had been faithful to the Gospel. It was at that turning point that Romero knew he had to be faithful to the Gospel and bring back social justice to his people. He knew he had to stop hating the guerrillas and start loving them. Like the saying, "Don't hate the sinner, hate the sin" that's exactly what Romero demonstrated.