INTRODUCTION TO
Archbishop Oscar A. Romero

Oscar A. Romero is one of the greatest symbols of Christian love and solidarity. As Archbishop of El Salvador, Father Romero was a source of strength and hope for the poor and the oppressed of his country. He worked with and for them, taking their struggles as his own. Father Romero wrote and spoke passionately about the need for Christians to work for justice, and he frequently faced threats and danger from those opposed to his ideas.

On March 24, 1980, while celebrating the Eucharist, Archbishop Romero was shot and killed at the altar by a death squad assassin. He paid the highest price for the commitment about which he spoke so often and so eloquently. Because of his courageous stand for justice, he became a martyr not only for poor Salvadorans but for all people struggling to overcome oppression and poverty. Today, his sermons are read as powerful reminders of Christians' obligation to fight for a just society. The example of Romero's courageous life and death continue to inspire those who struggle for human dignity and justice.