Oscar Romero Essay Research Paper If one

Oscar Romero Essay, Research Paper

If one seeks to fully comprehend the complexity surrounding the life and untimely death

of Oscar Romero, they must initially be exposed to the notion of liberation theology. The

theory of liberation which emphasises social and economic justice for the poor, became a

major force in El Salvadoran Catholicism. El Salvador is a country with its foundations

in religion, a religion entwined with political dogma. El Salvadorians were confronted by

a structured society which neglected the division, primarily the economic separation of

the community. As a result of a poverty stricken existence under the guidance of a

political system – a conglomeration of conservatives intentionally ignoring the problem,

thus conserving current status and order, a revolutionary Christian group was formed.

The Church and the State exhibited themselves as conservative allies, thus resulting in a

multitude of radical groups formed – Jesuits, Marxists and liberation theologists

collectively enforcing through action, the needs of the people. One such revolutionary -

Oscar Romero, underwent a dramatic transition in relation to the disharmony within his

native country from the period of his appointment to Archbishop. This essay will focus

primarily on the changes exhibited by Romero during his period of status within the

Church hierarchical system, and examine briefly the concept and consequent outcome of

liberation theology.

Integrity is a primary attribute in relation to the common ideal of all good men, but is

particularly expected of those in positions of authority. Such promotion of status is based

upon an individual?s ability to display certain virtues, or perhaps initially in the case of

Romero, appointment occurred with underlying intent on behalf of the electors. It is

probable that prior to his appointment to Archbishop by Pope Paul VI, he exhibited a

tendency to passiveness, thus resulting, quite ironically in his prime candidacy. Romero?s

rise through the ranks of the Catholic church was not a route to Episcopal power, he was

by disposition quite reserved and conventional. Preceding his direct exposure to the

horrors of the civil war, he was somewhat hesitant in defining his existent stance between

the conservative forces within the community and the revolutionaries. However, an act of

misguided vengeance resulting in the tragic deaths of Jesuit Father Rutilio Grande and

Father Alfonso Navarro respectively, strengthened Romero?s perspective. The

consequent development of courage enabled him to voice his beliefs in relation to the

injustice within El Salvadoran society, hence generating an encouragement of faith