Archbishop Romero hailed as authentic witness to Gospel values

(Vatican Radio) The recognition of Salvadoran Archbishop Oscar Romero as a martyr who gave his life for his faith has been welcomed by justice and peace activists around the world. Following a meeting with Cardinal Angelo Amato, head of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints on Tuesday, Pope Francis officially approved a decree saying that Romero had been killed out of “hatred for his faith”, paving the way for his beatification.

Listen to Philippa Hitchen's report: 

Archbishop Romero was shot dead on March 24th 1980, while saying Mass in the small chapel of a hospital where he lived in San Salvador. In just three years after being appointed to the archdiocese, Romero became an increasingly outspoken opponent of the government and military leadership, making public each week a list of the victims of violence and repression.

Over three decades on from his death, Romero is revered by many as ‘the voice of voiceless’, an inspirational figure for all who struggle to uphold the gospel values of human dignity, justice and peace.

Among those who’ve welcomed this week's announcement is the former director of the English Catholic aid agency CAFOD, Julian Filochowsky, who is also the founder of the London based Romero Trust