Former San Salvador Archbishop Oscar Romero will be beatified on May 23 in his home country of El Salvador. Monsignor Vincenzo Paglia is the postulator for Romero, and he announced the date during a recent visit to the country.
Pope Francis declared that Romero was a martyr in February, paving the way for his official beatification.
Born in 1917, Romero became a priest in 1942. He was appointed archbishop in 1977. El Salvador was being torn apart by civil war at the time.
MSGR. JESí?S DELGADO ACEVEDO
Former Secretary to Msgr. Romero
'He just was an ordinary bishop of a diocese for three years, but given the violence in the country, few wanted to take the [job].â?
Indeed, it was a dangerous time to be a leader in the Church. The 62-year-old was murdered on March 24, 1980 after he completed a homily in San Salvador.
MSGR. JESí?S DELGADO ACEVEDO
Former Secretary to Msgr. Romero
'With his Sunday homilies, he discussed the reality of what was happening in the nation that week and shared the light of the Gospel. His homilies sometimes lasted up to two hours. And people listened gladly.â?
He is celebrated widely throughout Latin America, especially in El Salvador.
Beatification is the final step before sainthood. After May 23, the postulator must prove a miracle occurred through Romero's intercession in order for him to be declared a saint.
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