He was born in 1917 in El Salvador. He studied theology and in 1942 he was ordained a Catholic priest in Rome. Back in his country he formed an association and assisted in building a cathedral. In 1966, He was appointed Secretary of El Salvador’s Bishop’s Conference. In 1975 he was made a Bishop and in 1977 Archbishop. During the civil conflict between right-wing groups and leftist guerrillas in his country, he became a vocal critic of their violent activities. He opposed the regime of their dictator, but also that of the junta which replaced him later. Many threats were made at his address, but he declared his commitment to sacrifice his life for the “redemption and resurrection” of El Salvador. In 1979 he was nominated for the Nobel Prize for Peace by a number of U.S. congressmen and 118 members of the British Parliament. His spiritual ideals were fully Christian, like love for the Church, finding God in others and self-offering to Jesus Christ. He was shot dead on 24 March, 1980, as he was celebrating Mass.
Patron Saint of Persecuted Christians
St. Oscar Romero was appointed archbishop of San Salvador in 1977. Romero had a bookish reputation, but this was a time of great political discontent and economic strife in El Salvador. Throughout his time as archbishop, he became known for advocating for the poor and oppressed.
St Oscar Romero was a huge advocate for those that are persecuted and those seen to be the lowest in society. This makes us think that when linking to Catholic Social Teaching Principles it is clear to see that his life and work would link to Solidarity, The Common Good and Option for the Poor.
Oscar Romero has been chosen for Year 11 because you are the head of the school so will be the role models for our ASPIRE values. This comes directly from the quote from St Oscar Romero:
Aspire not to have more, but to be more.
We hope that you can be the role model for the younger pupils in our school and also take the ASPIRE values away from St Thomas More and live by them for the rest of your lives.
