Canonisation of Óscar Romero: A Martyr’s Enduring Legacy in El Salvador

The canonization of Óscar Romero by Pope Francis on Saturday has sparked both religious and political discussions in El Salvador. St. Romero, the assassinated archbishop of San Salvador, was known for his fearless criticism of the military government and his advocacy for the country’s poor. His martyrdom and faithful service to the people of El Salvador have now been officially recognized by the Catholic Church.

During the celebrations in San Salvador, Hugo Martinez, the left-wing FMLN’s Presidential candidate, used the occasion to make a clear political statement. St. Romero, who was assassinated in 1980 while giving mass, became a political figure himself due to his outspoken denunciations of government oppression and his calls for reform to address the root causes of poverty and violence in the country.

Despite some progress in land reform and political representation for the poor since the end of the civil war in El Salvador, the country continues to struggle with high levels of violence, particularly from gang-related activities. The current government’s militarized approach to combating gangs has not been successful, with high rates of incarceration and daily murders.

The presence of Hugo Martinez at the canonization ceremony may signal a potential shift towards addressing systemic issues in El Salvador. St. Romero’s message of creating grassroots solutions to poverty and violence remains relevant today, and his canonization serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by the country.

Claire Moll, a PhD candidate conducting research in El Salvador, sees St. Romero’s example as an enduring inspiration for those working towards social change in the country. The canonization of St. Romero is not just a religious event but also a call to action for political leaders to follow his legacy of advocating for the marginalized and addressing the root causes of societal issues.