November 1 is all Saints Day and we take some time out to remember someone who recently acquired the title of Sainthood; Oscar Romero.

Oscar Romero was the Archbishop of San Salvador from 1977 until he was assassinated in 1980. He became increasingly outspoken about human rights violations in El Salvador – particularly after the murder of his close friend Father Rutilio Grande in March 1977.

During his three years as archbishop, Romero repeatedly denounced violence and spoke out on behalf of the victims of the civil war. In a time of heavy press censorship, his weekly radio broadcasts which were supported by Caritas organisations were often the only way people could find out the truth about the atrocities that were happening in their country. Caritas organisations helped rebuild the station when it was blown up. 

“Let my blood be a seed of freedom."

- Oscar Romero

Archbishop Romero was shot dead on 24 March 1980, aged 62, while celebrating Mass. In the ensuing decade, some 70,000 Salvadorans were killed in the civil war. 

Romero is an inspirational figure to hundreds of millions of Catholics around the world. He didn’t simply talk about the need to love your neighbour, but courageously named the injustices that plagued his country. He reminded us that Christ is found in people living in poverty, and that we cannot ignore the suffering of our brothers and sisters in need.