Oscar Romero

Oscar Romero (August 15, 1917 - March 24, 1980) was a prominent Roman Catholic priest and Archbishop in El Salvador during the 1960s and 1970s. After witnessing numerous violations of human rights, he became a spokesperson for the poor and for victims of terrorism by the government of El Salvador. This led to numerous conflicts of opinion, both with the reigning government in El Salvador and with the hierarchy of the Catholic Church. After speaking out against American military support for the government of El Salvador, Archbishop Romero was shot to death during a celebration of Mass in his cathedral. It is believed that his assassins were members of Salvadoran death squads.

"And if they kill me, I will rise again in the Salvadoran people." -- Oscar Romero

See also: Liberation Theology, terrorism