WASHINGTON, D.C., MARCH 24, 2011 (Zenit.org).- The U.S. bishops are marking the March 24, 1980, assassination of Archbishop Oscar Romero of San Salvador by calling for greater aid to Latin America.
Archbishop José Gomez of Los Angeles, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee on Migration, recalled in a statement that «Archbishop Romero defended the rights of poor and marginalized persons of his day.»
«Today, moved by his example, we urge the president and congress to reach out to those at the margins of our society by adopting comprehensive immigration reform,» he added.
The prelate, who also heads the conference’s Subcommittee on the Church in Latin America, noted that Catholics contribute over $7 million every year to collection sponsored by the U.S. bishops for the Church in that region.
He reported, «In El Salvador alone, we have funded Church-based projects totaling over $3 million since 2000.»
Archbishop Gomez affirmed that «the Church is committed to Latin America; we ask our government to do more for the people of the region.»
On Tuesday, U.S. President Barack Obama visited the tomb of Archbishop Romero in San Salvador’s Metropolitan Cathedral and lit a candle there. The visit took place in the context of Obama’s tour of Latin America, during which he stopped in Chile and Brazil before spending two days in El Salvador.
Powerful legacy
Bishop Howard Hubbard of Albany, New York, chairman of the bishops’ conference Committee on International Justice and Peace, affirmed that «this week’s visit of President Obama to Archbishop Romero’s tomb reminds us of the archbishop’s powerful legacy.»
«He spoke with courage to political leaders to champion justice and peace, and we must do the same today,» the prelate stated.
He called on political leaders to «address the root causes of migration by working to reduce poverty, promote educational and economic opportunities, and protect human rights.»
«These were causes for which Archbishop Romero was martyred,» the bishop said, «and they remain our causes today.»
Archbishop Romero’s cause for canonization is currently under way in Rome. Currently considered a servant of God, the prelate would need either a declaration of martyrdom or heroic virtue to advance toward beatification.
