A Brief Biography and Interpretation of the Life Work and Impact of Oscar Romero - Research Paper Example

Section/# A Brief Biography and Interpretation of the Life Work and Impact of Oscar Romero Perhaps some of the mostinteresting individuals to analyze those that experience a life altering event that encourages them to see the world in a different manner than they had any time previously. As a function of such an analysis, the following discussion will be concentric upon the life and impacts of Father Oscar Romero; former Bishop of the Catholic Church in El Salvador. Through such a level of analysis, it is the hope of this author that the reader will gain a more informed understanding with regard to the impacts that this particular individual made within Central American and global history. Accordingly, the following analysis will be concentric upon three different phases of Oscar Romero’s life. These phases are as follows: early life, early time as Bishop of El Salvador, and later period of Bishop of El Salvador; acting as an activist for social needs. As a child, Oscar Romero grew up in a rigid class society. El Salvador, at the time of Oscar Romero’s birth, was a nation in which 40% of all of the land was owned by only 13 different families (Brett 15). The levels of oligarchy that existed within the country at that time, as well as in later periods of history, were stifling and profound. Exhibiting an early interest in theology and a strong belief in God, Oscar Romero eventually traveled to Italy as a means of completing further theological studies. After completion of his degree, and in the middle of the Second World War, Romero flew from Italy Spain and eventually transited from Spain to Cuba; in the hopes of returning home to El Salvador. However, upon arriving in Cuba, Oscar Romero, and to others with them, were detained and placed in an internment camp (a type of concentration camp in which political dissidents warehoused) (Pfeil 90). Even though it was clear and apparent to an outside observer that Oscar Romero was nothing more than a young Catholic priest, is internment continue for a period of over six months; until such a time that he became violently ill and the Cuban regime agreed to free him; providing that he continued on his way to El Salvador. After many years of working along with parishioners within El Salvador, Oscar Romero eventually rose to the rank of Bishop for the entire nation. Not long after his designation as Bishop, in 1977, Oscar Romero was faced with the ongoing struggle that defined the world, the church, the lives of the parishioners to whom he was ultimately beholden. This conflict is with respect to the fight for parity, legitimacy, democracy, and Marxist ideals that were defining the early compliments of a revolution within El Salvador (Hopper 8). As a lifelong conservative, Oscar Romero sought to distance himself from this conflict and urged calm for all individuals involved. However, not long after taking over as Bishop of El Salvador, Oscar Romero was faced with a situation in which she absolutely was forced to respond in one way or another. One of his close friends, also priest in the Catholic Church, was assassinated for his level of work with communities and attempting to promote social welfare within the countryside (Pum Za 279). Seen by the government as a troublemaker, and one who could ultimately encourage a further level of revolutionary spirit, those in charge decided to assassinate this priest rather than allow him to continue his mission. As such, Oscar Romero was faced with a life altering decision; whether or not he would stand in defiance of the leadership this nation and signed with the humanitarian needs of his people or whether he would continue the status quo and represent a conservative approach to the pressing issues at hand. As one might reasonably guess, Oscar Romero chose the former; taking strong measures to serve as an activist that promoted further levels social welfare, integration, and democracy within a nation that was increasingly corrupt and authoritarian. As a means of accomplishing this, Oscar Romero utilized is respect and position as a means of calling the attention of individuals around the country to the singular goal hand; the right to self-determination and humanitarian needs (Camsby 19). In order to accomplish this, Oscar Romero began to broadcast a weekly sermon; oftentimes heavily steeped in political ideology and encouraging those within positions of power to cease and desist from all forms of persecution that they were directing towards the opposition. This was an extraordinarily effective approach. Ultimately, individuals came to see Oscar Romero has the face of the opposition; even though he did not actively support or endorse any level of violence against those that were perpetrating harm against his fellow country. Eventually, his popularity reached such proportions that over a quarter of 1 million people were tuning in weekly to his sermons on the radio. During this period of time, Oscar Romero’s radio broadcast was the most popular and most listened to radio broadcast and all of El Salvador. Moreover, beyond merely serving as a radio activist, Oscar Romero visited Rome in 1979 and begged for Pope John Paul II’s blessing and help in fighting against the autocratic power that had such a forceful level of control upon his native El Salvador. Although Oscar Romero ultimately failed to achieve his goal of engaging the Pope within the struggle as well, he was encouraged to continue fighting for basic human rights and promoting the needs of all people within El Salvador. Like many other individuals that fought for human rights and against repressive or authoritarian regimes, Oscar Romero never advocated violent resistance. In keeping with the principles of Christianity, he instead called for the fair and equal treatment of all people; regardless of whether or not they were affiliated with the government at that time or not. This was an important differential that helped to set Oscar Romero apart from many of the more fanatic supporters of the Marxist revolution within El Salvador. As such, by appealing to the voice of reason and promoting an understanding that the only way forward for the entire nation was together and not in separate blocks, Oscar Romero was able to coalesce a very wide level of support that would arguably not have existed for any other leader during this particular time period. As one might expect, the outright activism that Oscar Romero demonstrated did not win him any favors with the regime at that time. Moreover, Oscar Romero also spoke out to vehemently against the United States support for the El Salvador in government; likening it to a type of tacit terrorism. Sadly, as a means of silencing this voice, authorities within the regime conspired to have Oscar Romero assassinated. This took place in 1980; as he was addressing the entire nation via one of his weekly addresses (Sanchez 28). The shock that the entire nation faced was clear and apparent. Although there were calls for immediate and violent action to provide a level of vengeance for the life that was so senselessly taken, most of Oscar Romero’s supporters realized that this is not what he would have wanted; instead, a more passive form of resistance came to be even more strongly congealed. Not surprisingly, the impact of Oscar Romero’s death was profound. Fully 200,000 people were estimated to have attended his funeral. However, this did not mark the end of Oscar Romero’s impact upon the nation of El Salvador. As individuals within the nation came to understand that their government would stop at nothing to silence any and all criticism, other nations around the world began to lend their support to those within El Salvador that fought for a better life and opposed the current level of autocratic control that was exhibited. Sadly, even though support poured in from nations as far away as Ireland, the El Salvador and government continue to hold on (Carletta 6). The accomplishments of Oscar Romero cannot and should not be understated. So powerful was his impact within El Salvador, and so greatly was he admired that a movement for his beatification was accepted by the Vatican in 1999. As a result of his beatification, Oscar Romero has come to be known as the Patron Saint of the Americas. The life impact of Oscar Romero is evident with regards to the level of respect and adoration that his memory continues to receive throughout the world; especially within Catholic communities. Moreover, he is a notable humanitarian, as well as a notable person of belief, due to the fact that he did not allow the authoritarian regime to influence or coerce him into being silent as his people suffered under a particularly cruel and bloodthirsty system. Instead, he spoke out and attempted to get people involved as a means of seeking to transform his country into a better place. From the information that has been presented, the overall impact of this individual within the lives of El Salvadorians has been profound; moreover, he serves as a perfect example of an individual that must come to terms with their world view and promote the moral and ethical path forward – regardless of the ramifications that it might have for them personally or professionally. Works Cited Brett, Edward T. Romero, Óscar (1917–1980), Archbishop. n.p.: 2009. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 27 Feb. 2014. Camsby, Phoebe. "Oscar Romeros Sainthood Cause To Move Forward." America 208.16 (2013): 19. MasterFILE Premier. Web. 27 Feb. 2014. Carletta, David M. Romero, Archbishop Oscar Arnulfo. n.p.: 2012. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 27 Feb. 2014. Hopper, Joanne M. "Risk, Prophecy, Truth And Inspiration: A Picture Of Archbishop Romero In The Education System Of El Salvador." International Studies In Catholic Education 6.1 (2014): 4-13. Education Research Complete. Web. 27 Feb. 2014. Pfeil, Margaret R. "Oscar Romeros Theology Of Transfiguration." Theological Studies 72.1 (2011): 87-115. Academic Search Complete. Web. 27 Feb. 2014. Sanchez, Uribe. Romero, Oscar Arnulfo. n.p.: 2012. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 27 Feb. 2014. Pum Za, Mang. "Oscar Romero: Champion Of The Oppressed." Asia Journal Of Theology 27.2 (2013): 275-298. Academic Search Complete. Web. 27 Feb. 2014. Read More