Saturday, May 12, 2007

Pope Benedict XVI on Archbishop Oscar Romero

In addition to his grossly misinterpreted comments on abortion and excommunication, Pope Benedict had some wonderful news that he shared with reporters. When asked whether Archbishop Oscar Romero's canonization process would ever result in this martyr of the faith and for his people becoming a saint, the Holy Father replied:

"I have no doubt he will be beatified. I know that the cause is proceeding well at the Congregation for the Cause of Saints," but told the reporters he did not have exact information as to when this would occur. His Holiness continued by saying, "He was certainly a great witness for the faith, a man of great Christian virtue who was committed to peace and against dictatorship." Then, recalling that the archbishop of San Salvador was assassinated during the consecration of the host while saying Mass, the Holy Father said Romero's was "an incredible death."

Just days prior to his murder Romero said to a reporter, "You can tell the people that if they succeed in killing me, that I forgive and bless those who do it. Hopefully, they will realize they are wasting their time. A bishop will die, but the church of God, which is the people, will never perish." For more on Archbishop Oscar Romero see the article Oscar Romero: Bishop of the Poor, by Renny Golden.

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