Due to the overwhelming popularity of "The Good Pope," Ascension is proud to be beginning a periodic movie program. On May 15, 2014 @ 7:00 PM in the Church, we will be showing our next film, "Romero" starring Raul Julia in the title role. Please join us again for popcorn and the true story of Archbishop Oscar Romero, whose life and ministry on behalf of the poor in El Salvador is humbling and inspiring. Below is a brief biography on his ministry.
On February 23, 1977, Oscar Arnulfo Romero was appointed the Archbishop of San Salvador. Romero had a reputation for being a quiet academic and many priests feared that his appointment would do little to aid the poor, many of whom were being brutally oppressed by their government during this period of the Salvadoran Civil War. However, Romero’s life and spiritual mission was changed forever when his personal friend, Rutilio Grande, a Jesuit priest was assassinated. Romero called on the government to investigate his friend’s death but his request went ignored.
Archbishop Romero began to speak out publicly against poverty, torture and social injustice and soon was advocating for human rights on the international stage. More significantly, Romero gained great popularity with the people of his own country through his weekly sermons which were broadcast on public radio. In each of these sermons, he listed the disappearances, torture and murders known to have been committed by the government.
While elevating the chalice at the end of the Eucharistic rite during Mass on March 24, 1980, Archbishop Romero was assassinated. During his funeral, over 250,000 people came to mourn his courage and celebrate his commitment to the poor of his country.
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