Pope Francis "unblocks" Oscar Romero's cause for beatification

[UrbScotty]

Romero was shot to death while saying Mass in El Salvador on March 24, 1980. While he is seen as a hero to many because of his solidarity with the poor and his opposition to human rights abuses, his cause has also been viewed with suspicion in some quarters, partly because of Romero's links to the controversial liberation theology movement.

Although both Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI have said publicly that Romero was a martyr for the faith, there's also been some question as to whether his death meets the classic test for martyrdom of being killed in odium fidei, meaning "in hatred of the faith," or whether the motives were more social and political.

If Romero is judged a martyr, he could be beatified without having a miracle attributed to his intercession.

Immediately after the election of Francis, there was speculation both in Rome and in El Salvador that history's first Latin American pope would generate new momentum for the beatification of Romero.

http://ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/francis-unblocks-romero-beatification-official-says

[knitter4democracy]

1. We all know he was martyred.

He was killed because he was a threat to the powers that be, and he was a threat because he was living the Gospels. He's a martyr, pure and simple.

[rug]

2. That's a good move.

[IrishAyes]

3. Great news!

The movie 'Romero' is one of my favorites. I watch it at least once a year.

[hrmjustin]

4. Glad to hear it!

[wet.hen88]

5. thx!

Thank you so much for this news...I continue to hear good things about our Pope Francis on all my sites!