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OAS Secretary General Welcomes Decree for Beatification of Monsignor Romero

  February 4, 2015

The Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), José Miguel Insulza, celebrated with emotion the announcement yesterday by the Vatican of the beatification of Monsignor Oscar Arnulfo Romero, Archbishop of San Salvador, killed by death squads in 1980 while celebrating the Eucharist. "Pope Francis has once again touched Latin Americans by recognizing the martyrdom of this kind and generous man. who gave his life to defend human rights when violence dominated his country," said Secretary General Insulza.

"Monsignor Romero became a symbol in El Salvador and throughout the Americas; he spoke about injustices unequivocally and was murdered to silence his commitment; but his martyrdom made him a universal figure," added Secretary General Insulza.

The Secretary General thanked Pope Francis for his decision to sign the decree that accelerates the process of beatification. ¨Pope Francis, our first Latin American pope, has once again confirmed his commitment to justice, truth and life in the Americas and around the world."

For more information, please visit the OAS Website at www.oas.org.

Reference: E-023/15