Almighty God, who didst call thy servant Oscar Romero to be a voice for the voiceless poor, and to give his life as a seed of freedom and a sign of hope: Grant that, inspired by his sacrifice and the example of the martyrs of El Salvador, we may without fear or favor witness to thy Word who abideth, thy Word who is Life, even Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with thee and the Holy Spirit, be praise and glory now and for ever. Amen.
On a mission trip to El Salvador many years ago, we visited Romero’s church, where he lived, and the University where the martyrs were slain. A very complicated political mess back then with a very repressive government that did not want the religious speaking out against ANYTHING the Government stood for. Yes, the church hierarchy were in bed with the communists, but everyday priests and bishops were trying to hold the poor together so that someone would pay attention to them; as the elites fed the Government monster.
It bothers me much to see inklings of that behavior in our own country.