Oscar Romero (
August 15,
1917 -
March 24,
1980) was a prominent
Roman Catholic priest and Archbishop in
El Salvador during the
1960s and
1970s. After witnessing numerous violations of
human rights, he became a spokesperson for the poor and for victims of
terrorism by the government of El Salvador. This led to numerous conflicts of opinion, both with the reigning government in El Salvador and with the hierarchy of the Catholic Church. After speaking out against
American military support for the government of El Salvador, Archbishop Romero was shot to death during a celebration of Mass in his cathedral. It is believed that his assassins were members of Salvadoran
death squads.
"And if they kill me, I will rise again in the Salvadoran people." -- Oscar Romero
See also: Liberation Theology, terrorism