ROME, MARCH 18, 2005 (Zenit.org).- Pax Christi International marked the 25th anniversary of the death of Archbishop Oscar Romero of San Salvador.
Latin Patriarch Michel Sabbah of Jerusalem presided at a Mass on Thursday that commemorated the archbishop’s assassination. The 62-year-old prelate was killed in a hospital chapel while he was celebrating Mass on March 24, 1980.
«Archbishop Romero had the courage to speak strong words, and was accused of playing politics, but he preached the Gospel,» the patriarch said in his homily.
The Salvadoran prelate’s process of beatification, which has concluded its diocesan phase and has been in Rome since 1997, will be reopened within the next few days, revealed the postulator, Bishop Vincenzo Paglia of Terni-Narni-Amelia.
«The delicate nature of this cause has called for particular attention,» the postulator told the press. «We must not forget that it is a process on martyrdom and not on virtues.
«Therefore, it is essential to demonstrate that Romero was killed out of hatred for the faith and not for political reasons. The postulation has carried out specific investigations on this point. Obviously, it cannot be said that political motivations were totally absent in the one who shot him. But from the point of view of Romero, it is already clear that his commitment was exclusively ecclesial.»
Patriarch Sabbah, who is president of Pax Christi International, repeated Archbishop Romero’s words: «The death of a martyr is a resurrection. He, in the face of so many accusations, said: ‘If they kill me, I will resurrect in the Salvadoran people.»
«And this was verified,» said the patriarch.
The concelebrated Mass, in which 50 priests participated, was held in the Basilica of the Holy Apostles. Others deemed to have died at the service of the Gospel were also remembered.
