Recognition clears path for Beatification of Salvadoran Archbishop
(Archbishop Romero killed prior to the December 2, 1980 murders of Cleveland missionaries Sr. Dorothy Kazel and Jean Donovan; Archbishop Romero interacted with slain Diocese of Cleveland missionaries)
Vatican City, February 3, 2015 (Zenit.org)
The Congregation for the Causes of Saints announced that Pope Francis has recognized the martyrdom of Archbishop Oscar Romero of San Salvador.
Archbishop Romero was assassinated on March 24th, 1980, while celebrating Mass at a local chapel. The Salvadoran prelate was an outspoken voice against the Revolutionary Government Junta and their persecution of the Catholic Church and repression of basic human rights.
His cause for canonization began in 1990 and was formally accepted by John Paul II in 1997, when the martyred archbishop was given the title "Servant of God." Although Romero's cause passed a theological audit by the Congregation of the Doctrine for the Faith in 2005, the process was slowed down due to the death of John Paul II. Following Benedict XVI's election, several liturgical changes to the Congregation of the Causes of Saints further delayed the cause.
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